Mikel Arteta provides Bukayo Saka injury update after Sevilla win

Arsenal enjoyed a comfortable 2-0 victory over Sevilla in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday to move inches closer to qualification to the round of 16.

Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli were outstanding throughout the game, all three combining for the goals. Despite the win, it came with injury concerns for some players.

Arsenal are already without captain Martin Odegaard, Eddie Nketiah, Emile Smith Rowe, Gabriel Jesus, Thomas Partey, and Jurrien Timber and have been struggling with the fitness of Saka and Takehiro Tomiyasu in recent weeks.

With six players already on the sidelines, Tomiyasu was taken off at half-time while Saka limped off in the 85th minute after falling awkwardly, adding to the growing list.

Mikel Arteta provides Bukayo Saka injury update after Sevilla win

https://twitter.com/SkySportsPL/status/1722551941484380462

Speaking at his post-match conference, Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta has provided an update on the players who are nursing injuries.

On why Tomiyasu was substituted at halftime, Arteta said: “Yeah, he had some discomfort in the first half and we didn’t want to take any risks. He’s played a lot of minutes and obviously having Alex [Zinchenko] on the bench ready to come in, I think it was the right decision.”

Saka was repeatedly fouled throughout the match and Arteta says the young winger should be used to this type of treatment from opponents.

“Well, there is contact in football and obviously for the wingers who want to take people on this is going to happen. In the end, he wasn’t comfortable to carry on, hopefully, it’s not too much, but I’m really pleased with his performance.

“I think he’s getting used to it. I don’t think that’s going to change especially the way he plays and the way he attracts players so he better get used to it because I don’t think that is going to change.”

On the injury, Arteta added: “It was just a kick and I was told by the physios on the radio that he wasn’t happy to continue so he will have some discomfort but hopefully, I want to assume that he will be okay.”

Odegaard was again absent from the squad after missing the Newcastle game, alongside Nketiah. Arteta said of the duo: “They are racing against the clock to be fit and they are trying their best and they tried to be here today with us. It wasn’t possible and now we have another 48 hours before we play Burnley. We will try again and we will see because we need players at the moment.”

Arsenal will continue to monitor their situations ahead of the visit of Burnley on Saturday.