Mikel Arteta has been handed a major boost, as Arsenal talisman Bukayo Saka has shaken off any fitness concerns ahead of Saturday’s clash with Brentford.
Saka was withdrawn at halftime in Arsenal’s 6-0 victory away at Sheffield United on Monday, with Arteta explaining after the game that the winger had been feeling sick all week.
This did not stop Saka from delivering a 45-minute masterclass at Bramall Lane, as he set up two goals, with Chris Wilder admitting after that his side were powerless to stop him.
Given the nature of his sickness, there may have been concern over his ability to play against Brentford on Saturday, but these fears have now been quashed.
Bukayo Saka handed fitness boost ahead of Brentford clash
A report from The Standard has revealed that Saka was feeling ill in the days leading to the game against Sheffield United, and even had to leave training early on one occasion.
Saka insisted that he wanted to play despite this, and helped win the game for Arsenal within the first 15 minutes, with his cross turned in by Jayden Bogle to double his side’s early lead.
The 22-year-old has now recovered from his sickness, and is “expected to be fit” for the late kick-off on Saturday, with Arsenal hoping to make it eight Premier League wins in a row.
Was Mikel Arteta right to start Bukayo Saka against Sheffield United?
Arteta was criticised earlier this season for failing to rotate Saka more, leading to burnout and a dip in form prior to January’s Winter break.
Given Sheffield United’s struggles, this could have been a game that Saka sat out, with Reiss Nelson, Leandro Trossard or even Fabio Vieira coming in for him.
However, Arteta and Saka both decided that he would continue in his starting role, and the Spaniard made the correct decision to bring him off at half-time, with his side leading 5-0 at that point.
Saka is Arsenal’s main man when it comes to goals and creativity, and losing him in any game will be a blow. Given that his problem was illness, rather than injury-related, it was likely of little risk to play him for half a game, and ensure that the three points were secured before his withdrawal.
Whilst this may have come as a frustration to someone like Nelson, who may have seen the bottom-of-the-league side as a rare opportunity for a start, Saka’s insistence that he wanted to play was likely the deciding factor for Arteta.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
