Mikel Arteta On Saka’s Fitness Concern: Niggles Are Part Of Elite Sport

By The Editor
on 15th September 2023

Mikel Arteta reassures fans that Bukayo Saka is fine…

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta reassured fans that Bukayo Saka is fully fit after the 22-year-old was left out of the starting XI for England’s friendly against Scotland on Tuesday.

Saka did come on in the second half, but a report in the Daily Mail claimed that the winger was struggling with an achilles problem which dates back to the end of last season.

Many noticed that Saka tailed off towards the end of the campaign last term and it was revealed that he was nursing an inflamed achilles.

The PFA Young Player of the Year has been an ever-present during Arteta’s tenure, breaking Paul Merson’s 26-year record of consecutive Premier League appearances for the club.

Saka has featured in 83 consecutive Premier League games and while that may seem impressive to some, others have pointed to a potential burnout and wonder if the Hale End graduate should be afforded more rest.

“He’s fine,” Arteta told the press ahead of our trip to Everton.

“He trained normally today so nothing to report there. Every player has pains or issues. That’s normal in elite sports, but nothing to worry about.”

Arteta has been quick to shut down any talk of potentially overloading Saka with too many games, pointing to the demands required if he’s to become the player he wants to be.

Saka and Arteta are both driven by being the best, and the boss understands that the players at the pinnacle of football are available to fight for their teams every three days.

Saka has previously said that’s where he wants to be, and I’m sure he knows the sacrifices that come with that…