Mikel Arteta has disclosed that Bukayo Saka was carrying a minor injury ahead of Arsenal's frustrating draw with Nottingham Forest, a result that slightly narrowed their advantage at the top of the Premier League.
Saka's fitness managed after busy schedule
Speaking after the match, the Arsenal manager explained his decision to start the England winger on the bench at the City Ground. Arteta confirmed Saka had a "niggle" before the game and highlighted the need to manage his players' minutes after a demanding period.
"Yes, Bukayo has played a lot of minutes and as well he had a niggle before the game," Arteta stated in his post-match press conference. "We need to manage our players. We have some fantastic players who can provide different things."
Saka had completed 90 minutes in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Chelsea just days earlier. In his absence from the starting lineup, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli were deployed on the flanks, with Leandro Trossard and Saka himself introduced in the second half as Arsenal searched for a breakthrough.
Missed opportunity to extend lead over Manchester City
The goalless draw represented a missed chance for the Gunners to capitalise on Manchester City's earlier defeat in the Manchester derby. A victory would have sent Arsenal nine points clear at the summit.
Instead, the gap now stands at seven points, with Aston Villa having the opportunity to close to within four points should they win their game in hand. Arteta, however, chose to frame the single point as progress, however small.
"Every week is an opportunity," he said. "We want to win every game and if we had done that we would be in a different position but we made a step, a smaller one than the one we wanted, but still a step."
Gruelling fixture list ahead for title contenders
The stalemate at Forest sets up a critical period for Arsenal's title ambitions. The squad faces a quick turnaround with a midweek trip to face Inter Milan in the Champions League, followed by a Premier League clash against a resurgent Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium next Sunday.
Despite the recent draws, Arsenal remain firm favourites for the title, especially with Manchester City now without a league win since late December. The management of key players like Saka will be crucial as the fixture list intensifies.
