Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says he has no regrets starting Bukayo Saka after he went off injured in the Gunners’ 2-1 loss at RC Lens on Tuesday night.
The 22-year-old Anglo-Nigerian has been a regular face in Arteta’s side and provided the assist for Gabriel Jesus’ goal but was forced off in the 34th minute after appearing in discomfort and was replaced by Fabio Vieira.
It has raised concerns about Saka’s fitness after he suffered a knock during Arsenal’s 4-0 Premier League win at Bournemouth last week but Arteta stressed on the academy graduate’s willingness to feature against Lens.
We've been forced into an early change…
↩️ Saka
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— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 3, 2023
“No, it was a knock that he picked up the other day, and he was perfectly fine. It wasn’t an action, it was a backheel that can produce that type of injury. Let’s see what the extent of it is, and afterwards, it was too late as well,” Arteta told the club website.
“They were more knocks than any other thing. The last few that he had, he hasn’t really missed games. We gave him a break against Brentford in the Carabao Cup, and that was all.
“He was really looking forward to play. Every player (was). It was a big Champions League night. I told him I painted a picture, the scenario, the type of game we are going to have to face today and they all knew about it. But the Champions League is so difficult to win, very difficult to win away from home and today we take a big lesson as well.”
Arsenal sit second in Group B, one point behind Lens and will face reigning Premier League champions Manchester City on Sunday before the commencement of the two-week international break.
