Mikel Arteta provides positive update on Bukayo Saka after injury scare vs Port Vale

The England international was taken off after a rough tackle.

Mikel Arteta provided a positive update after Bukayo Saka’s early substitution against Port Vale sparked fears of yet another setback.

With a 2-0 victory, Arsenal advanced to the Carabao Cup’s fourth round, although Saka’s substitution in the second half unavoidably alarmed the fans.

It is impossible to overestimate the winger’s significance to Arsenal, which is why every slip or rough tackle causes such fear. His comeback to action following a four-week absence due to a hamstring injury was eagerly watched at Vale Park.

Arteta on Saka’s early substitution against Port Vale

With a strong strategy in place to handle Saka’s workload in the coming weeks, Mikel Arteta’s decision to remove him after an hour was motivated more by caution than worry. Arteta was quick to explain the decision.

“It was planned, 60 minutes was the maximum,” he said.

“We had four, almost five players already in the line-up that we had to get him out for different reasons, especially for load because he was coming from long periods out. So we planned for that and the good thing is that nobody got injured, so there are no muscular issues. So that’s a very positive thing again.”

Bukayo Saka received an hour to shine at Vale Park on Wednesday night after being substituted. The Arsenal forward took a hard tackle just before being substituted, raising suspicions that he may have suffered a knock.

Having lost the last three matches at St. James’ Park, Arteta may be tempted to start him when the north London team play Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon. In the race for the title, Arsenal already have a five-point deficit to Liverpool.

The Gunners will be without a few important players in Tyneside regardless of Saka’s fitness to play.

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