Arsenal boss Arteta provides Bukayo Saka update: ‘Cannot believe McArthur stayed on the pitch’

Arsenal boss Arteta provides Bukayo Saka update Arsenal boss Arteta provides Bukayo Saka update

By Conor Laird

Published: October 18, 2021 10:59 pm

Last Updated: October 18, 2021 11:05 pm

Arsenal boss Arteta provides Bukayo Saka update: ‘Cannot believe McArthur stayed on the pitch’

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has, on Monday night, spoken out over star attacker Bukayo Saka, who was forced off during the club’s meeting with Crystal Palace.

Gunners leave it late

Saka and co. returned to action a short time ago.

In the club’s first outing post-international break, Arsenal welcomed Palace to the Emirates, for a Premier League derby showdown.

The Gunners headed into the clash aiming to build on something of a resurgence of late, having bounced back from a trio of successive defeats to open the campaign with ten points from an available twelve since.

When all was said and done in north London, however, Arteta’s men were forced to settle for a share of the spoils.

After Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s early opener was cancelled out by Christian Benteke early in the 2nd-half, Odsonne Edouard netted what looked set to prove the evening’s deciding goal inside the closing twenty minutes:

No stopping that! ☄️

Edouard completes the counter attack with a brilliant strike to put #CPFC in front at the Emirates ⚡

📺 Watch #ARSCRY live on Sky Sports PL pic.twitter.com/aqDkKbB4bc

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 18, 2021

Late drama was still in store, though, as, after Ben White’s initial effort was kept out, substitute Alexandre Lacazette was on hand to slam home on the rebound, bagging a point for Arsenal with the last kick of the game:

Alexandre Lacazette snatched a draw from the jaws of defeat as Arsenal drew 2-2 with Crystal Palace on Patrick Vieira’s return to the Emirates Stadium.

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 18, 2021

‘Cannot believe…’

As outlined above, however, whilst, on the back of the full-time whistle, the Arsenal faithful could have been excused for celebrating what ahead of kick-off would have been deemed a disappointing result, the Gunners were also dealt a concerning blow this evening.

After being scythed down in alarming fashion on the edge of the hosts’ area late in the first-half at the Emirates, the aforementioned Bukayo Saka was ultimately forced to make way at the interval.

James McArthur literally volleys Bukayo Saka in his calf, but escapes with only a yellow card. 🤔 #afc pic.twitter.com/YfMK37HKUt

— afcstuff (@afcstuff) October 18, 2021

In turn, speaking during his post-match press conference, Mikel Arteta was inevitably drawn on the wellbeing of his gifted young attacker.

But the Arsenal boss gave little away, in simply confirming that Saka was unable to carry on as a result of the challenge in question.

Significantly, though, Arteta then went on to reveal his disillusionment with the fact that James McArthur – the Palace star responsible – managed to escape the incident with only a booking:

Arteta on Saka: He could not continue. I saw the action. I cannot believe how the player stayed on the pitch.

— James Benge (@jamesbenge) October 18, 2021