- Mikel Arteta believes a holiday will make Bukayo Saka 'really better'
- Gunners star expected to be sidelined with hamstring injury until March
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Mikel Arteta has pleaded with Bukayo Saka to take a rare holiday while he recovers from a hamstring injury, saying it could make him “really better”.
The winger left Selhurst Park on crutches after the Gunners' 5-1 victory over Crystal Palace on December 21, after injuring his right hamstring 22 minutes into the game.
He had surgery the following week and is not expected to return until late February at the earliest, although he will most likely return in March.
Saka has been a mainstay of the Arsenal team for some time: over the last three seasons, the Englishman has missed just 10 of Arsenal's 172 games in all competitions.
But now, Arteta thinks Saka needs a holiday.
Ahead of Arsenal's game against Aston Villa today, Arteta said: “Yes, he needs to (go on holiday). He is obliged to go. With his girlfriend or his family, he can choose. Or on his own.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has insisted that Bukayo Saka needs to take a few days off.
The winger suffered a hamstring injury last month and is expected to be out until March
The Gunners have won three of six since Saka's injury, with two draws and one loss as well.
But he needs to get away for a few days and cool off.
“He can still do a lot of things with his rehab because it's the perfect setting.” “I think that will make it really better.”
He added: “He (Saka) has been there every day (with the club). There is a moment, especially when we are going to be away for a few days, when he needs to do that. That is also very important for him. We need take care of our players.”
