Not only did Arsenal suffer their first defeat of the season against Lens on Tuesday (2-1). They said that the evils are not alone because the ‘gunners’, in addition, lost half time in the Champions League match in Bukayo Saka due to injury.
Arsenal manager Mikel Areta He admitted to the media his anxiety ahead of Sunday’s big Premier League clash against Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium. The two teams, who fought for the title last season, are separated by just one point. The ‘citizens’, champions and leaders, have 18 and the ‘gunners’, third, 17.
Saka was replaced by Fabio Vieira in the 34th minute of Tuesday’s game and Arteta reveals muscle problem is “big enough” that he will not be allowed to continue playing and that is obviously a concern for us.” For his part, in statements to The Athletic, Martin Odegaard assured that “any team in the world will miss Saka.”
Then He has been having physical problems in recent games. On 24 September, the derby against Tottenham ended in discomfort as a result of a blow and Arteta did not line up three days later in the match that saw Arsenal go out against Brentford in the League Cup (1-0).
Last Saturday, Saka appeared again in Arsenal’s 4-0 victory at Bournemouth in his 87th consecutive Premier League match. but he did not finish it when he was replaced by a limp with a quarter of an hour remaining.
Arteta has no regrets
Asked on Tuesday if he regretted starting Saka against Lens despite his physical problems in recent weeks, Arteta said: “No, it was a blow he took the other day, and he is absolutely fine .”
And he insisted Saka’s earlier injuries “were more knocks than anything else. He didn’t really miss a game. We rested him against Brentford in the League Cup, and that was it.”
Criticized for not giving him a break
Arteta has been criticized for not resting Saka often, but the Basque coach says so all players are looking forward to playing against Lens. “It was a great Champions League night,” he added. “I painted a picture, the scenario, the type of game we will face and everyone knows it. But the Champions League is very difficult to win… and we got a good lesson.”
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
