Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has expressed his concerns for Bukayo Saka after the winger was substituted early during their emphatic 5-1 victory over Crystal Palace.
Saka, who had to leave Selhurst Park on crutches, cast a shadow over the Gunners’ joyous win, which saw Gabriel Jesus net twice, adding to his hat-trick from the Carabao Cup semi-final triumph against the same opponents earlier in the week.
Despite the goals from Ismaila Sarr, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, and a comeback goal by Declan Rice, Arteta’s post-match comments were centred on Saka’s condition. The Gunners are set to host Newcastle United in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals in a couple of weeks time. It would be a big boost for the Magpies if Saka is ruled out of the tie as Eddie Howe’s team aim to reach the final for the second time in three years.
“He felt something in his hamstring,” Arteta revealed. “He couldn’t continue. He will have to be assessed, so I’m pretty worried about that one.”
The Arsenal manager also lamented the loss of Raheem Sterling to injury, highlighting the challenges posed by the packed fixture schedule: “It’s very difficult to (give a prognosis) now. They have tested him inside but it’s very difficult to say how bad it is.”
“We lost Raheem (Sterling) yesterday, we don’t know for how long as well, so to lose two players in 24 hours is not good.”
“Unfortunately with the amount of games that we are playing, every three days with this schedule, it doesn’t surprise me, but the team will react to that.”
Jesus’ performance, with seven goals to his name this year, five against Palace in just 72 hours, was a highlight in an otherwise concerning situation for the North London club.
“That’s the beauty of football,” Arteta commented. “Things change. I think he scored the same amount in 45 appearances and now in two days, three days almost.”
“He scored five goals and he could have scored a hat-trick today again. Great credit to him, because he’s put so much work into it, so much belief into what he does, and he was patient, and he got rewarded.”
Arteta, discussing his team’s recent performance contrast with last week’s match against Everton, said: “That we were clinical today. I think in many things we were better the other day but this is football.”
“We were so clinical today, we were so good at scoring in different phases like we want to do and we didn’t concede more realistically because David (Raya) had two great saves as well and we have to be honest about that.”
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner shared his perspective on the match, saying: “I think everybody who watched the game, especially in the first 60 minutes, (would say) it wasn’t a game that you should lose 5-1.”
“Many parts of football we did really well today, but one crucial part we did very bad, let’s say it like this, defending in the box. “.
“With their efficiency and how ruthless they were today, they scored from every situation and that’s how we can explain this disappointing result.”
“We have to do better (in defending). When you play a top team like Arsenal, they say just ‘thank you’ and this is what they did today. ” “This is what top teams are doing. You give them a crumb, they take the whole cake.”
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View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/arsenal-boss-mikel-arteta-pretty-30640723
