3 days ago
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Mikel Arteta has provided an update on Bukayo Saka following Arsenal's 4-0 win over Leeds United. The 24-year-old winger appeared to suffer an injury in the warm-up at Elland Road on Saturday afternoon.
Shortly before kick-off, Saka was whisked away from the pre-match preparations and escorted down the tunnel by a physio. The England international was quickly replaced by Noni Madueke in the starting lineup, and Christian Norgaard was named on the bench.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Arteta explained why he made the late change. The Gunners boss said: "He had a little niggle and he wasn't comfortable to start the game, so we made a decision straight away and now we are going to have to do some tests tomorrow and see how he is."
Madueke repaid Arteta's faith, playing a key role in each of the Gunners' two first-half goals. The 23-year-old winger provided the assist for Martin Zubimendi's opener before forcing an own goal from Karl Darlow.
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Viktor Gyokeres extended Arsenal's lead midway through by the second half. While wrestling with Jayden Bogle at the back post, the 27-year-old striker latched onto a cross from Gabriel Martinelli, who had replaced Madueke on the hour mark.
Gabriel Jesus replaced Gyokeres with a quarter of an hour or so left on the clock, and it didn't take him long to make his mark. The 28-year-old striker fended off Pascal Struijk on the edge of the box before chopping the ball onto his right foot and bending it past Darlow.
Daniel Farke was very complimentary of the Gunners in his post-match press conference. The Leeds boss: "Congratulations to Arsenal, [they] deserved win. We have to accept that the better team won this game.
"We faced the best side currently in Europe. Why this team is the best team in Europe. You need a perfect day to give you the best chance, and a bit of luck. We didn't have our very best day and they were on it from the first minute."
Farke added: "Arsenal today always had the answer. Their quality today against the ball and also to defend was on the top level. We were not able to find our offensive opportunities."
On the west Yorkshire outfit's gameplan, Farke said: "To be flexible like we were against Everton. Using our wing-backs over the wings. When their centre-midfielders jumped in we wanted to create overloads but were unable to do so."
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