Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka is 'obligated' to go on holiday after attending North London derby

It is "very important" for Bukayo Saka to go on holiday in the not-so-distant future, according to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who has urged the England international to take a break.

Saka has been ruled out until March after tearing his hamstring in a Premier League clash against Crystal Palace on December 21.

The 23-year-old winger, who had been one of Arsenal's standout performers this season with nine goals and 13 assists, has repeatedly visited the club's Sobha Reality Training Centre since undergoing surgery.

But soon after attending the North London derby, Mikel Arteta made a very clear request to Saka as he continues his recovery.

Speaking to reporters, he said: "He needs to [go on holiday]. He is obligated to go. With his girlfriend or his family, he can choose. Or on his own. But he needs to get away for a few days and refresh."

Arteta continued: "He can still do a lot of things with his rehab because it is the perfect stage. I think it will make him really better.

"He is [around the squad], and he has been every single day there [at the training ground]. There is a moment, especially when we are going to be away for a few days that he needs to do that. That is very important for him as well.

The Spaniard added: "We need to look after our players. Bukayo hasn’t had any time off for the past two seasons, so it’s a moment where maybe he can have a break as well, in other parts of his life, be closer to his family - great."

As mentioned earlier, Saka was forced off during Arsenal's 5-1 win at Crystal Palace last month and left the stadium on crutches.

Saka is "obligated" to go on holiday. Image credit: Getty

Several days later and the England international shared a picture on Instagram of himself in hospital after undergoing surgery.

He wrote: "The majority see obstacles, but few see the opportunities. Recovery has begun and I’m coming back stronger! Thank you all for your messages."

Speaking after Arsenal's win over Ipswich Town at the end of last month, Mikel Arteta went on to confirm how long Saka will be out for.

"He had a procedure," he said. "Everything went well, but unfortunately he will be out for many, many weeks. I said many weeks, so I think it will be more than two months. I don't know exactly how much longer."

Arteta added: "It will depend on how the scar tissue starts to heal, the first week or so, the mobility of that. Let's see, it's very difficult to say."