Mikel Arteta has given reasons for why Bukayo Saka missed Arsenal’s Premier League match against Luton Town.
The England winger began Arsenal’s goalless match with Manchester City on Sunday before Gabriel Martinelli took his place in the 78th minute.
Saka worried Arsenal fans about an injury during the international break by pulling out of England’s Wembley friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.
The 22-year-old arrived with his team-mates at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night but was then not included in the hosts’ squad at all.
Explaining Saka’s absence, Arteta said: ‘He had to come off against Manchester City three days ago, he was feeling something.
‘He hasn’t been able to do everything that we needed to give him the chance to start the game. So we have decided not to play him.’
Saka not playing was one of five changes from the Arsenal team that frustrated Manchester City at the weekend, with Thomas Partey making his first Premier League start since late August.
Declan Rice, Gabriel Jesus, Jakub Kiwior and Jorginho all go to the bench, with Emile Smith Rowe, Leandro Trossard, Reiss Nelson and Oleksandr Zinchenko given starts against Luton.
For Rob Edwards’ team, who lost 2-1 at Tottenham on Saturday, Jordan Clark and Daiki Hashioka both get back to the starting line-up, while 16-year-old schoolboy Christian Chigozie features on the bench.
Discussing Chigozie’s presence on the Luton bench, Edwards said: ‘We think highly of him. He’s a great lad and we think he has got a big future.
‘That shows you where we are at [in terms of injuries]. Four teenagers and two goalkeepers on the bench. Slightly different to Arsenal’s bench I think.’
Arsenal legend Martin Keown, meanwhile, defended Arteta’s decision to make changes for the visit of relegation-battlers Luton Town.
‘It’s a three-game week which we rarely see,’ he said. ‘We’re playing one of the teams at the foot of the table so they’ve got confidence.
‘It’s not disrespecting the opposition but the players coming in have to prove the manager right.’
With current Premier League leaders Liverpool in action tomorrow night, Arsenal will return to the top of the table if they beat Luton.
.
.
