Mikel Arteta has shared that Bukayo Saka wasn’t used during Arsenal’s Emirates Cup win over AS Monaco because of a sickness bug.
Prior to the game, Gabriel Jesus was ruled out through injury, so when Bukayo Saka was an unused substitute by the Arsenal boss, then it’s understandable if it made fans fear the worst.
The new Premier League campaign is around the corner and the last thing Mikel Arteta needs is his best player missing alongside his star striker.
But Arteta told his post-match press conference after their penalty shootout win over AS Monaco that ‘we couldn’t use’ Saka because of some ‘sickness’, hence why he remained on the bench.
Fret not Arsenal fans, whilst Jesus’ absence is a blow, their star boy on the right is fit and ready for their Community Shield clash against Manchester City at the weekend.
On paper, it’s not a competitive game, but it’s a chance for the teams to stamp their authority on one another ahead of the 2023/24 season kicking off.
“He was fine, but after he wasn’t feeling great on the bench and we didn’t want to use him,” said Arteta about Saka. “I think he had some sickness or some illness, so we couldn’t use him.”
Saka entering into world class territory
Last season, Saka was the only player to hit double figures in terms of goals and assists, as his 25 goal involvements from 38 Premier League games was the best of his career so far.
But if the 21-year-old wants to be known as that world class player, then he has to go again ahead of the new campaign.
If he does that and guides Arsenal to the Premier League title, as well as performing well in the Champions League, then he can start talking about being world class.
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