Arsenal gem Bukayo Saka has admitted that he is ‘not really’ happy with one decision that manager Mikel Arteta made in the Gunners’ 6-0 win over RC Lens on Wednesday.
The north Londoners ran riot at home to Les Sang et Or in the Champions League to seal the top spot in Group B. Arsenal now cannot be caught atop their table during the final matches next month. They visit PSV Eindhoven, who rank in second place but are four points behind.
Lens beat Arsenal 2-1 when they hosted the Gunners in October after responding to Gabriel Jesus’ goal. But they had no answer at Emirates Stadium to goals by Kai Havertz (13’), Jesus (21’), Saka (23’), Gabriel Martinelli (27’), Martin Odegaard (45+1’) and, lastly, Jorginho (86’).
Saka helped Arsenal beat RC Lens 6-0 in the Champions League
Arsenal, effectively, had the points in the bag after a devasting 14-minute blitz on Lens’ goal in the first half. Odegaard adding to their lead during stoppage time would then ensure the second half lacked the same intensity. So, Arteta took it as a chance to rest their key players.
But Arteta frustrated Saka by substituting the 22-year-old in the 66th minute for fellow Hale End product, Reiss Nelson. The Arsenal academy product had one goal and one assist to his name against Lens. Saka had teed Jesus up to score before steering Martinelli’s rebound in.
Saka admits he was not happy with Arteta’s second-half decision
Saka admitted after Arsenal thrashed Lens 6-0 that he was not happy with Arteta’s decision to substitute him. The 32-cap England winger was keen to play the full contest. He has only played the full 90 minutes in two matches with the Gunners since the middle of September.
“Not really,” Saka told TNT Sports, via quotes by BBC Sport. “I wanted to play 90 minutes. I understand his decision. Now, I’m focused on Wolves. I want to do my best in that game.”
Since Arteta allowed Saka to hear the final whistle when Arsenal won 1-0 at Everton, he has substituted the winger in stoppage time against Tottenham Hotspur with an injury. Saka also went off against Bournemouth, Sheffield United, Burnley and Brentford in top-flight fixtures.
Saka has further failed to finish a Champions League match so far this term after coming off in their win over Lens. It was also his shortest appearance other than his 34 minutes at Lens due to an injury. He got 69 minutes against PSV, plus 81 and 85 away and at home to Sevilla.
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