Mikel Arteta has begged Bukayo Saka to take a rare holiday as he recovers from a hamstring injury. He says this could make him “really better.”
The winger left Selhurst Park on crutches after the Gunners' 5-1 win over Crystal Palace on December 21 after injuring his right hamstring in the 22nd minute.
He underwent surgery the following week and is not expected to be back until the end of February, making a return in March all the more likely.
Saka has been a mainstay of the Arsenal team for some time now. Over the past three seasons, the England man has missed just ten of Arsenal's 172 games in all competitions.
But now Arteta believes Saka needs a holiday.
Ahead of Arsenal's match against Aston Villa today, Arteta said: 'Yes, he has to (go on holiday). He is obliged to go. With his girlfriend or his family, he can choose. Or on his own.
'But he needs to go away for a few days and freshen up.
'He can still do a lot with his rehabilitation because it is the perfect stage. I think it will really make him better.”
He added: “He (Saka) has been there every day (with the club). There is a time, especially if we are away for a few days, when he has to do that. That is also very important to him. We have to take good care of our players.'
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