Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has admitted he is concerned over burnout for Bukayo Saka, after a busy schedule for club and country so far this season.
The 19-year-old featured in all three games for England over the international break, starting in the wins over Republic of Ireland and Iceland, while coming on in the defeat to Belgium.
The versatile left-sided player has also featured in the Premier League, Europa League and Carabao Cup for the Gunners so far this season as the intense schedule continues for many clubs.
Arteta feels it was ‘not ideal’ to see the teenager play so much for England over the last two weeks, but does not blame Gareth Southgate for picking Saka and will now just work to get him ready for the clash with Leeds on Sunday.
“Well, I’ll have to see today when he comes back how he’s looking and how he’s feeling.
“Obviously, he’s a 19-year-old kid and he’s played a lot of football in the last few months and we have to protect him.
“I understand from Gareth [Southgate]’s point of view as well, he had the injury of [Ben] Chilwell and he probably didn’t plan to give him that many minutes but the circumstances forced him to do it.
“From my side, it’s not ideal, but if I was in Gareth’s shoes, I would have done exactly the same. It is what it is, let’s see how he comes back and try to get him fit and recovered and see how he is for Sunday,” Arteta told a press conference on Friday.
