Bukayo Saka has backed up Mikel Arteta on his minutes, insisting it’s normal for the top players to play every few days.
There have been debates throughout the last year or so on Bukayo Saka’s minutes for Arsenal, but those conversations were thrust back into the limelight by the winger’s recent injury setback.
Despite making an excellent start to the season in terms of goals and assists, Saka was forced to miss Arsenal’s key clash against Manchester City and England’s subsequent fixtures over the international break.
Saka has since returned to action, providing an assist against Chelsea and even captaining Arsenal against Sheffield United.
But still the conversations around his minutes continue, ahead of another couple of tricky away games this week.
On the subject of Saka’s involvement and regular starts, Mikel Arteta recently insisted that’s what you expect from a top player.
“It’s our responsibility to monitor them,” Arteta began. “It’s also about the relationship to the data and the way they train.
“Sometimes we want to play them but when we have them three hours on the field in training it doesn’t help. If you want to be a top, top player you have to play every three days and play 65-70 games.
“We have to play him when we see him in the right condition mentally and physically. He needs to be performing as well.”
Responding to those comments about a 65 to 70-game season, Saka backed his manager up.
“I think it’s possible,” Saka said. “When you look at the top players, they are there every three days and they are winning games for their team.
“So I’m trying to be at that level, and to obviously be at that level I need to push myself. Of course, it’s difficult, but I’m trying to do it and give it my best.
“I think I’m really focused on the next coming games and what I can do for the team. My focus is not really there (on talk of potentially burning out).
“I’m a guy who always wants to be on the pitch, always wants to give my best, and if I’m injured and I have to be forced to be out, then, of course, I will sit out.
“But as long I’m there and I’m ready to play, I am always going to give my best and tell them that I want to play.”