Time is not on Bukayo Saka’s side after the Arsenal winger suffered another injury setback this weekend.
The 24-year-old was due to start for the Gunners against Leeds United yesterday (January 31), but pulled out of the starting XI after picking up an injury during the warm-up at Elland Road.
After pulling up, the England international was seen walking down the tunnel with a physio while the rest of the team continued warming up.
Bukayo Saka pulled out of Arsenal’s starting XI after sustaining an injury during the warm-up at Elland Road.placeholder image
Bukayo Saka pulled out of Arsenal’s starting XI after sustaining an injury during the warm-up at Elland Road. | Getty Images
Noni Madueke replaced Saka at right-wing for the game, picking up two assists during the match - one for the cross for Martin Zubimendi’s opener, and from the corner fumbled by Karl Darlow for an own goal.
Speaking after the game, manager Mikel Arteta said: “He was ready, because you cannot do that in two minutes.
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“The way he prepared, the way he’s waiting for opportunity. I think he paid off today, because he made a real impact.
“We thought before the game it was going to be a long game. We were going to have to navigate through different moments in the game, and we were going to need everybody fulfilling their roles and I think the players executed that incredibly.”
The result preserved Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League, with Manchester City and Aston Villa in action today against Spurs and Brentford respectively.
But more pressing for the Gunners is their mid-week game against Chelsea, the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final. Arsenal have a 3-2 lead going into the fixture at Stamford Bridge, and would massively benefit from having Saka available.
Arteta said: “So in the warm-up he had a little niggle - he wasn't comfortable to start the game so immediately we made a decision to make that change and bring Noni in.”
If his absence was indeed precautionary, then Saka could be fit for Tuesday’s (February 3) fixture. If not, he would be expected back in the Arsenal side sooner rather than later, with their next Premier League game being against Sunderland on Saturday, February 7.
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