Arsenal Mikel Arteta has confirmed Bukayo Saka was left out of his starting line-up against Leeds on Saturday afternoon after missing training the day before.
Saka was the surprise omission from Arteta's team for the game at the Emirates. He had started 54 consecutive games in the Premier League - a run stretching back to Arsenal's 3-2 loss at Manchester United in December 2021 - and was expected to continue that run.
Yet Arteta confirmed the 21-year-old winger was only fit enough for the bench after picking up an illness which ruled him out of training the day before the game. Arsenal fans will be hoping their talisman makes a speedy recovery, as they aim to beat rivals Manchester City to a first Premier League title in 19 years.
"He was unable to train yesterday," Arteta told BBC Radio 5 Live when asked about Saka's absence. "He's feeling a little better today. We might still see him at some point."
Bukayo Saka is Arsenal's reigning Player of the Season after winning the prestigious award two years in-a-row. Former Arsenal star Bacary Sagna told The Games Cabin, "He [Saka] has been the best player in the Premier League this season."
Sanga added, "Many of the players in Arsenal’s team deserve massive credit as they’ve been really solid but I believe the way that Bukayo has been improving, the way he’s been attacking, the way he’s been creating and scoring goals has been really important for the team.
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"Hopefully he can stay injury free. He’s very young, he’s going to improve, he’s a brilliant player already and I believe he has the greatest impact in this current Arsenal team. To have that consistency, game after game, has been absolutely fantastic."
Arteta is determined to ensure the hype doesn't get to Saka. He told reporters on Friday, “He’s so humble. He knows where this is coming from and he knows it’s like a cloud, here one moment and gone tomorrow. So keep your eyes open and be alert because this industry is very tough.
“He’s going to have to deal with the expectations of the media, with attention on the pitch. When you want to fulfil a role like the one he has at the moment, you need to be capable of doing that. We have to help him.
"So don’t read too much, don’t listen too much, just focus on what you have to do every day. That’s it. And we always have a stick ready, don’t worry."
Arsenal are five points clear of Man City in the title race after Pep Guardiola's side defeated Liverpool 4-1 at the Etihad in Saturday's early kick-off.
Victory against Leeds on Saturday afternoon will restore Arsenal's nine-point advantage, but it remains unclear whether Saka will play during the second half.
