Gabby Agbonlahor has placed the responsibility for Bukayo Saka’s recent injury on Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. Saka sustained the injury during the Champions League match against Lens.
Saka had been displaying signs of needing rest for several weeks, but he continued to receive playing time from his manager. Arteta’s approach has been to field his best team whenever possible, and the absence of a reliable backup for Saka has contributed to his regular inclusion in the starting lineup.
While Saka’s scans may reveal that he hasn’t suffered a severe injury, the incident has prompted criticism from some fans and pundits who believe that rest could have been beneficial for the young player. Agbonlahor, among others, is suggesting that Arteta bears responsibility for not managing Saka’s workload more effectively to prevent such injuries.
After his injury at Lens, Agbonlahor told Football Insider:
“I think Arteta gets the blame, for me.
“He should’ve been rested for the game against Bournemouth on the weekend.
“No offence, but if you’re Arsenal and you can’t afford to rest him against Bournemouth – then what have you done with your squad?
“This is a squad which includes Vieira, Nelson, Smith Rowe, and Nketiah.
“You can’t play so many games and expect not to get an injury. Even when they’re 3-0 up in the game, he’s still on the pitch.
“Just take him off when you get the second goal. He ended up playing 76 minutes when he was carrying a knock.”
Just Arsenal Opinion
Saka is one of our best players and has to be protected at all costs. The Englishman has shown signs of being overused for some time.
Even if he has not suffered a serious injury, it would be smart to rest him for our next match before he suffers a significant injury.
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Hopefully, Saka will recover from the injury he picked at Lens in the Ucl last Tuesday night. And be fully fit to play against Man City at the Ems in the Epl on Sunday.
But if Saka didn’t recover in time to play against Man City. Arteta MUST find the correct solution to Saka seemingly absent for the match by starting another Gunner in his place. Whose starting the match will not make Saka likely absent in the match felt. But enhanced to a higher degree in the all important match for Arsenal at this stage in the campaign. Which will make Arsenal to beat Man City and beat them unfailingly.