Bukayo Saka came off midway through the second half of Arsenal's 1-0 win over Crystal Palace. Eberechi Eze's first half strike proved to be the difference at the Emirates as the summer signing scored his first goal since his summer arrival from the Eagles. However, head coach Mikel Arteta has revealed that Saka's early withdrawal on Sunday came due to the England international's struggles with an illness.
AFPSaka was replaced by Martinelli
Saka endured a sub-par showing in Sunday's London derby before he was replaced with Gabriel Martinelli in the 66th minute as Arsenal held out for a 1-0 win over Palace. The England international looked off the pace as the Gunners went four points clear at the top of the table.
Saka has started just six of nine league games for Arteta's side this season due to injury suffered earlier in the season. And while he featured from the outset against the Eagles, Arteta has revealed that the 24-year-old was struggling ahead of the game as a result of illness.
Advertisement'We didn’t know whether he was going to be fit'
After Sunday's win over Palace, Arteta was asked about the decision to withdraw Saka. "He’s been ill, he hasn’t trained really, so we didn’t know whether he was going to be fit, so he made a big effort to be available today," the Spaniard replied.
"The doctor was brilliant as well to guide us, to give us the best opportunity for him to be in the best possible condition, so he’s managed to play a few minutes.
"The longer the game went on, the more he was going to fatigue and risk an injury, and we didn’t want to take that risk."
Saka has scored two league goals this season but failed to directly contribute to a goal in recent wins over Fulham, Atletico Madrid and Palace. That said, it was Saka's corner that was knocked on by Gabriel Magalhaes into the path of Leandro Trossard to score the winner at Craven Cottage last weekend.
Getty Images SportArsenal suffer triple injury blow
Saka wasn't the only player who was withdrawn early in the win over Palace on Sunday. Indeed, William Saliba came off at the break due to an apparent injury, while Declan Rice and Riccardo Calafiori were also forced off late on in the 1-0 victory.
On injuries to Saliba, Rice and Calafiori, Arteta added: "The first one was Willy who had to be taken out after the first half, Declan was struggling from the first half with a knock that he took and Riccy, let’s see how that will go."
The trio were replaced by Cristhian Mosquera, Mikel Merino and Piero Hincapie as Arteta showcased Arsenal's strength in depth. Mosquera and Hincapie both joined in the summer from Valencia and Bayer Leverkusen, respectively, with Arteta looking to deliver domestic and continental success this season.
Arsenal out to maintain winning run
The games come thick and fast for Arsenal between now and the international break. The Gunners are in League Cup action in midweek as they take on Brighton on home turf. Arsenal then travel to Burnley next weekend as they look to at least maintain their four-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.
The north London side will also be out to continue their 100% start to their Champions League campaign on matchday four when they make the trip to Slavia Prague next week. They will then face high-flying Sunderland at the Stadium of Light in the final round of league games before the international break.
Arteta's side face a testing return to domestic duties next month as they take on rivals Tottenham before a return to European action at home to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich. They see out the month with a short trip across the capital to take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Arteta will be hoping that injuries to Saliba, Rice and Calafiori aren't too serious, and that Saka can fully overcome his bout of illness for the League Cup tie against Brighton on Wednesday night. Arsenal set up a meeting with the Seagulls by beating lower league side Port Vale in the previous round of the competition.
