Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said that Bukayo Saka “wasn’t comfortable” to start the Gunners 4-0 thrashing of Leeds United.
Despite being names in the lineup, Saka was replaced by Noni Madueke who went on to play a starring role in the win.
Madueke’s cross was headed in by Martín Zubimendi for Arsenal’s opener, before his corner was punched by Leeds goalkeeper Karl Darlow into his own net to make it two.
Bukayo Saka was injured during warmups. (Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
“In the warm-up he had a little niggle, he wasn’t comfortable to start the game, so immediately we made a decision to make that change and bring Noni in,” Arteta said after the game.
“And he was ready, because you cannot do that in two minutes. The way he prepares, the way he’s waiting for opportunity, I think it paid off today because he really impacted the team.”
Arsenal’s victory over Leeds saw them extend their lead at the top of the table to seven points.
Aside the injury to Saka, Arteta made some huge changes to his lineup. Kai Havertz was handed his first Premier League start in a year while captain Martin Ødegaard was dropped to the bench.
Viktor Gyökeres was reinstated up front and this decision paid off as the Swede got on the end of a Gabriel Martinelli cross in the second half to seal the points.
