Mikel Arteta delivers Bukayo Saka update ahead of Luton Town clash
The 22-year-old was given the green light to start Sunday's top-of-the-table blockbuster with Manchester City, despite having to pull out of England duty with a long-standing muscular issue.
However, Saka could not get into full flow during the Gunners' 0-0 draw with the champions — thanks in no small part to Josko Gvardiol's standout performance at left-back — and he left the field with the physio in the second half.
The winger gingerly trudging to the sidelines has become a familiar sight this season, although Arteta stressed after the game that there was no flare-up of his previous injury — he was simply fatigued.
Nevertheless, Saka's enforced withdrawal has led to the expectation that he could be rested for Wednesday's visit of Luton, especially given the tight turnaround time, and Arteta was asked about the winger's condition straight away in Tuesday's press conference.
Positive updates on Gabriel Martinelli, Jurrien TimberThe Spaniard affirmed that Saka was OK, but he kept his cards close to his chest when asked whether he might consider dropping him from the first XI, saying: «Yeah, he's fine.
»Obviously, we haven't trained, we've recovered and have a short live session today to prepare for the game, and we'll see whether he's in the best condition to start or not. We're just thinking about Luton and preparing for the game in the best possible way and earn the right to beat them."
Arteta also insisted that fellow winger Gabriel Martinelli — who made his comeback from a foot issue as a late substitute on Sunday — would be fine to go the distance in
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