Arsenal: 4 worries in the top four race against Spurs

4. Bukayo Saka is More Injured Than We Think

He’s been kicked to pieces all season and it is just beginning to look like the rotational fouling on Bukayo Saka is starting to tell.

That’s now two games running where he’s been unable to complete the match, and on both occasions it didn’t merely look like fatigue. He was unable to walk at the end, irrespective of what Arteta has said.

"“Bukayo was fine, he was really fatigued and he has been through a little injury as well,” the boss said post-West Ham."

It’s that last part which doesn’t exactly fill you with confidence. While the manager has said he’s ‘fine’ and therefore it shouldn’t be a concern, he’s also been known to bend the truth on player availability and fitness.

Saka is absolutely vital to this team. He has been, he is, and he will be in the future. The thought of having Nicolas Pepe come into the team in his stead is disheartening.

Perhaps it is just worrying too much. Perhaps it’s a subconscious way of trying to lower expectations in case the season doesn’t end up with a top four finish. Either way, it plays on the mind.