Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta makes a Bukayo Saka injury claim

Last night, Arsenal fans were treated to yet another fine attacking display. They thumped an impressive six goals past Sheffield United without reply. Surprisingly, Bukayo Saka was not involved in the scoring but even more surprising is that Mikel Arteta subbed him off in the second half, a rarity for sure. That said, Arteta has addressed the Bukayo Saka injury fear.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta makes a Bukayo Saka injury claim

Speaking after the match, Mikel Arteta was questioned about the decision to take Bukayo Saka off, understandably. Bukayo Saka seems to be untouchable in the Arsenal lineup, even when he shows signs of injury. Thankfully, though, the choice to take him off was not related to injury, only illness.

Quoted by Liverpool Echo, Mikel Arteta said: "Bukayo was feeling sick and he wasn't feeling right so we decided to take him off and bring Fabio in."

Interestingly, Mikel Arteta also commented on Gabriel Martinelli: "We had a little issue with Gabi Martinelli. He had a little cut in his foot. We need to see how it is."

So, it looks much more positive for Bukayo Saka than Gabriel Martinelli but this doesn't necessarily mean it's negative for the Brazilian. After all, Arteta's frequent use of the world "little" could be an indicator that he feels the problem with Gabi is not as serious as it seemed at the time.

Martinelli scored in the match, whereas Bukayo Saka hit the crossbar and even forced an own goal in the first-half. It was a lively match from an attacking perspective but understandably, Mikel Arteta didn't feel the need to risk further injury to his star players when the game was already decided at half-time. We hope that Saka and Martinelli both recover in time for the Brentford clash this weekend.

Who was your standout performer for Arsenal against Sheffield United?