Mikel Arteta gets immediate Bukayo Saka boost after huge Arsenal injury scare

Arsenal were handed a Bukayo Saka injury concern on Saturday, but the 4-0 win over Leeds United offered Mikel Arteta up a big boost.

Mikel Arteta has been shown that Arsenal can cope without Bukayo Saka if he has suffered a long-term injury. The Gunners’ winger pulled up in the warm up before the clash against Leeds United with the decision swiftly made for Noni Madueke to replace him in the starting XI.

Despite his absence, Arsenal eased to a routine but much needed 4-0 win; with Martin Zubimendi’s header, a Karl Darlow own goal, Viktor Gyokeres’ volley and precision Gabriel Jesus finish handing the Gunners three points.

Had it not been for Saka’s injury, it would have been the perfect afternoon for Arsenal – with Arteta’s update after the game a concern.

He said: “So in the warm-up he had a little niggle, he wasn’t comfortable to start the game, so immediately made a decision to make that change and bring Noni in.”

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After that decision was made, Madueke played a key role in Arsenal’s opening two goals – with the 23-year-old crossing for Zubimendi and delivering the corner that Darlow could only punch into his own goal.

Having someone like Madueke ready in reserve is a huge plus for Arteta with it also meaning Saka isn’t overused. Even with the latter pulling out, and Mikel Merino absent because of a foot injury, Arsenal’s bench at Elland Road was stacked – with Arteta commenting on that after the game.

He said: “Yes [it is incredible the options we have], that’s only possible if those players are with the right mindset.

“We talked before the game, that it’s going to be a long game, we’re going to have to navigate through different moments in the game, and we’re going to need everybody fulfilling the role that they have on the day, and I think the players executed that incredibly well.”

Arsenal’s depth in every position was improved greatly over the summer by sporting director, Andrea Berta, with injuries to key players now less impactful.

Madueke getting a direct goal contribution and forcing another goal shows that Arsenal are capable of coping without Saka. With additional tests to come, there’s no clear return timeline for Saka but, given Arsenal’s hectic February schedule, Arteta will hope to have him back this month so that Madueke is not overused.

Gabriel Martinelli and Jesus – with the former assisting Gyokeres’ goal – can both play on the right as well as their favoured positions across the front three.

Kai Havertz, who started in midfield on Saturday, is another striker option for Arteta but he is likely to get most of his minutes further back over the coming weeks due to Merino’s potential issue.

Explaining his absence, Arteta said: “He’s got an issue in his foot. It’s a bone that’s giving him some pain, and we have some exams, we need some more specialists to look at it and to see how long that he will be out.”