Bukayo Saka Given Holiday Time After Recovering From Injury

Bukayo Saka will be given leave by Arsenal after recovering from injury (Instagram/@bukayosaka87).

JAKARTA - Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said Bukayo Saka had to take temporary leave after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Arteta's decision was aimed at the winger to take time to refresh himself first before returning to the field.

Saka was absent until March 2025 following a hamstring injury she suffered in a 5-1 win at Crystal Palace last month requiring her surgery.

"Yes, he needs to do it (off). He must go, with his girlfriend, or his family, or himself, he can choose."

"He needs to go for a few days and refresh himself. He can still do a lot with his rehabilitation because it's the perfect stage. It will make him better."

"He (Saka) has been with his teammates every day. However, there is a time, especially when we are going (to travel) for several days, he needs to do that (go on vacation)."

"That is also very important for him. We need to look after our players," Arteta said on Friday, January 17, 2025, local time, in a press conference ahead of the match against Aston Villa.

Arsenal struggled several times during Saka's absence, which knocked them out of the FA Cup Third Round and faced a two-goal deficit in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle United.

However, it wasn't just Saka who was absent. Gabriel Jesus suffered an ACL tear when he lost to Manchester United in the FA Cup.

Meanwhile, Takehiro defenders Tomiyasu and Ben White were absent for several months due to a knee injury.