Mikel Arteta provides Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard injury updates as Arsenal plan revealed

Mikel Arteta has provided an update on Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard following Arsenal's 5-0 win over Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The duo were forced to come off during the clash, with the former suffering a hamstring problem and the latter taking a knock to the shoulder.

Speaking to reporters after the game, the Gunners boss addressed the two setbacks. Arteta said: "That's the negative. Martin felt something in his shoulder; we will have to scan that tomorrow.

"Bukayo felt something in his hamstring when he was running with the ball. We will have to speak to tomorrow with the doctors. So just wait."

On the squad depth, Arteta added: "Well, you just have to see the evolution and the way the team played the number of minutes in 2023/24. Last year, it was different with the amount of injuries, and the start has not been good in that sense but we have more this time."

Arteta was also asked about Viktor Gyokeres, who netted a brace on his home debut. The Spaniard said: "That will help us now to evolve. He's really dangerous and that's his superpower. We need to get him in those situations."

Eberechi Eze was unveiled as a new Arsenal player ahead of the match. On the Gunners' dramatic move for the 27-year-old attacking midfielder, Arteta said: "One of the fastest and the most unexpected.

"But it showed an incredible determination from all the board that we had to act. It shows how we want to take this club to another level."

Arteta added: "Without a doubt, he has the capacity to create those magic moments, that flair, that charisma that is very contagious. He can play different positions, as a ten, off the left. We will gather more data."

On Eze's presentation, the Arsenal boss said: "I agreed but I was getting no news today on the phone so I didn't think it was happening but they managed to pull it [off]. It was great to witness."

Max Dowman was brought off the bench towards the end of the match, coming on for Noni Madueke. The 15-year-old winger showed great promise, winning a penalty – which Gyokeres dispatched – in stoppage time.

"Well, this is what we see every single day in training," Arteta said of Dowman. "We just gathered information about how he handles different situations. Big compliment to his family. I think they've raised a kid with maturity, stability and hunger."

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