Mikel Arteta staunchly supported his choice to field Bukayo Saka as an Arsenal winger, despite Saka’s exit due to injury during their Champions League loss to Lens.
Mikel Arteta stood by his choice to field Bukayo Saka as an Arsenal winger, even as Saka had to leave the field with a limp during their Champions League loss to Lens.
Arsenal initially took the lead with a goal from Gabriel Jesus, but Adrien Thomasson equalized after a mistake from David Raya. Saka’s exit from the game due to injury was a cause for concern.
Lens went on to win 2-1, thanks to a second-half goal from Elye Wahi. However, it was Saka’s injury that likely weighed heavily on Arteta’s mind. With reigning Premier League champions Manchester City scheduled to visit the Emirates Stadium in five days, Saka’s participation now appears uncertain, as he has been forced to leave the last three games.
Asked if he regretted picking Saka following his issues against both Tottenham and Bournemouth, Arteta replied: “No. It was a knock that he had the other day and he was perfectly fine. It was a back-heel, an action that can produce that kind of injury.
“Let’s see what the extent of it is and afterwards it’s too late. The last few were more knocks than anything else.
“He hasn’t really missed games. We gave him a break against Brentford (in the Carabao Cup) last week and that was all.
“He tried to backheel a ball in the first half and felt something muscular. He felt uncomfortable to carry on so we had to take him off.
“We don’t know anything more. It was big enough not to allow him to continue to play the game and that’s a worry for us.
“He was really looking forward to playing like every player. It was a big Champions League night. I painted a picture and the type of scenario we were going to face today and they all knew about it.
“But this Champions League is so difficult to win away from home. Today we take a big lesson.”
Follow us on all social media platform, @Sportscliffs on Twitter and Instagram and also like our facebook page
