Mikel Arteta has allayed fears over Bukayo Saka’s fitness for Arsenal, insisting that he is simply ‘really fatigued’.
The Arsenal boss substituted Saka during the massive 2-1 victory away to West Ham United on Sunday evening.
It wasn’t a stellar performance by the England international and Football London reported that Arteta was heard ‘yelling’ at the 20-year-old winger at one point in East London.
At this point of the season, with the Gunners fighting tooth and nail for Champions League qualification, an injury to probably your best player would be devastating.
However, Arteta, whose troops moved fourth in the Premier League with four games to go, has quelled fears over injury by telling the club’s official website that tiredness was the reason behind the change.
He said: “Bukayo was fine, he was really fatigued and he has been through a little injury as well.”
Signature needed now
Arsenal need to sign Saka up to a new contract as soon as possible.
The Hale End graduate, who earns £30,000 per week in North London right now, is due for a bumper pay rise in his next deal – and deservedly so.
He is the Gunners’ leading goalscorer this season but you get the impression that he needs to test himself against Europe’s elite.
And if Arsenal fail to qualify for the Champions League, well he’ll have no shortage of potential suitors who can offer him a chance to play against the continent’s finest next season and beyond.
And with his contract expiring in only two years, well let’s just say it’s a precarious situation for the Emirates Stadium club and one that Arteta and Edu need to address immediately.
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