Mikel Arteta questioned for Bukayo Saka Arsenal decision after Declan Rice injury blow
Former Arsenal star Theo Walcott has questioned a Bukayo Saka decision made by Mikel Arteta in the 5-0 win against Crystal Palace. The Hale End graduate has contributed to 21 goals in 28 games although because of the lofty standards set by himself, more is being demanded of the Arsenal winger.
In his last seven league games, Saka has managed just one goal with constant injury worries plaguing his first few months of action. The 22-year-old has left the field hobbling against Tottenham, Bournemouth, RC Lens and Burnley, however he has missed just one game through injury with that being the title clash against Manchester City that the Gunners actually won.
Both Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have struggled for goal contributions in recent weeks with the latter dropped by Arteta for Leandro Trossard this past Saturday. The Belgium international repaid the faith shown in him by Arteta by scoring Arsenal's third on the day before he was replaced by Gabriel Martinelli with Emile Smith Rowe also coming on in place of Kai Havertz.
Martinelli responded to being left out of the starting XI by scoring a late brace however Arteta could not completely enjoy that as both Declan Rice and Gabriel Magalhaes left the pitch with injuries. «He [Rice] was feeling some tightness,» the Arsenal boss said in his post-match press conference.
«I don’t know what muscle it was. But when he says that at 3-0 then obviously we don’t want to take any risks. The same with big Gabi. He had some discomfort from a tackle in the first half and he was struggling a bit so it was the right moment to take him off the field.»
Given Rice's importance, any absence will come as a major blow and following his withdrawal, Walcott was left asking questions as to why Arteta
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