Bukayo Saka has admitted that he was not too happy with one decision Mikel Arteta made as Arsenal thrashed Lens in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
Saka was speaking on TNT Sports (broadcast on 29/11; 22:10) after the Gunners secured top spot in their group with one game to go as they won 6-0 at the Emirates.
Almost all of the damage was done in the first-half. Arsenal had six different goalscorers, so it was no surprise that Bukayo Saka was able to get on the scoresheet.
Bukayo Saka admits he didn’t like decision Mikel Arteta made
The 22-year-old now leads the way for goals and assists combined in the Champions League this season. So it was hardly surprising that Mikel Arteta decided to take Saka off just before the halfway mark in the second-half.
Saka has played so many games in his first five years in the Arsenal first-team. So plenty of Gunners fans would have been pleased to see him taken off.
However, Saka did not feel that way as he was asked about whether he was happy to come off.
“Not really. I wanted to play 90 minutes if I’m honest. But yeah, I understand his decision. Now I’m focused on Wolves and trying to do my best for that game as well,” he told TNT Sports.
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Arteta absolutely made the right decision. And in truth, it should probably be his final minutes in the group-stages. Arsenal have secured top spot. And thus, the Gunners boss can make so many changes.
Saka is one of those who needs the rest when the chance presents itself. He is so important to Arsenal. In fact, Whoscored shows that no Gunners player made more tackles than the England international. So it is not just about what he does in the final third that is invaluable.
And if Saka steals the show against Wolves this weekend, Arteta will definitely feel vindicated that he took the decision to take him off early on on Wednesday.