In the recent Arsenal-Monaco match, the conspicuous absence of star player Bukayo Saka raised eyebrows, so will he be fit to play against Manchester City on Sunday?

Manager Mikel Arteta addressed his absence, revealing Saka had been sidelined due to sudden illness.

• Mikel Arteta confirmed that Bukayo Saka was benched due to an unexpected bout of sickness.
• Despite Saka’s absence, Arsenal secured a win against Monaco in the Emirates Cup, led by stand-in captain Eddie Nketiah.
• Arsenal managed to convert all penalties in the shoot-out, with Aaron Ramsdale making a significant save.

Monaco and Arsenal locked horns in an exciting Emirates Cup clash on Wednesday night. However, the noticeable absence of one of Arsenal’s brightest stars, Bukayo Saka, left many fans puzzled.

Manager Mikel Arteta put these worries to rest by confirming Saka’s unexpected illness.

“He was fine, but afterwards he wasn’t feeling great on the bench, and we didn’t want to use him. I think he had some sickness or some illness, so we could not use him,” Arteta said, clarifying why the forward didn’t play.

In the face of Saka’s unfortunate and sudden illness, Arsenal’s squad proved their mettle.

Stepping into the spotlight was Eddie Nketiah, wearing the captain’s armband for the day and demonstrating his attacking prowess. A vital goal before the break restored parity for Arsenal, setting the tone for the rest of the match.

Nketiah proved himself a strong contender in the attacking lineup, solidifying his claim for more first-team involvement which he will now get after the news emerged that Gabriel Jesus had undergone a ‘procedure’ on the knee that kept him out for a large chunk of last season.

As the teams braced for penalties, the spotlight fell on goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale. The keeper made a crucial save from Monaco’s Takumi Minamino, ensuring Arsenal’s victory and allowing them to lift the trophy for the seventh time.

With Saka benched due to illness, the team also saw Fabio Vieira and Gabriel Martinelli showcasing their skills in the front line. Their contributions, coupled with Nketiah’s relentless attack and Ramsdale’s key save, balanced Saka’s absence. Sort of.

After the game, Arteta gave no indication that Saka would be unable to face Manchester City on Sunday in the Community Shield as the season opens.

Speaking to the media ahead of the showdown against City on Sunday at Wembley, Arteta was asked about Saka and he replied, “Bukayo was feeling much better today, so I don’t expect any other concerns.”