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Arteta explains why Saka was named on the bench for Arsenal’s clash against Leeds

Arteta explains why Saka was named on the bench for Arsenal’s clash against Leeds

It's a surprising absence.

Chris Byfield

Chris Byfield

Mikel Arteta laid bare why Bukayo Saka was named on the bench for Arsenal’s crucial Premier League clash against Leeds.

The Gunners take on relegation threatened Leeds at the Emirates, hoping to restore their eight point lead at the Premier League summit.

Indeed, title challengers Manchester City dispatched Liverpool 4-1 earlier today to apply the pressure on Arteta’s side.

The north London club are just ten games away from claiming their first title in 19 years, and with that in mind, Arsenal fans were bemused to see star player Saka named on the bench for their home fixture against Leeds.

It was the first time Saka had been named among the substitutes in a Premier League match since the Arsenal’s 3-2 defeat to Manchester United in December 2021.

And Arteta explained the England international absence from the starting XI before kick off.

Arteta on Saka's absence

Before kick off Arteta explained that Saka was feeling unwell and was unable to train on Friday.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the Arsenal manager said: “He wasn’t able to train yesterday. He was unwell.

“He wasn’t feeling well and he didn’t train and today he feels a little bit better so we put Gabriel Jesus on.”

Saka’s replacement, Gabriel Jesus, is making his first start since suffering a severe injury while at the World Cup with Brazil.

On Jesus, who is in the starting line-up for the first time since November, Arteta said: “He always brings a lot of energy, a lot of quality, a lot of movement, chaos.

“A player that we’ve been missing and it’s great to have him back.”

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Football, Bukayo Saka, Arsenal, Leeds United, Mikel Arteta, Injury, Premier League

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.