Tag: Bukayo Saka

Arteta Rejects Club-Over-Country Claims After Arsenal Withdrawals

Mikel Arteta
April 2026

Mikel Arteta rejected claims that Arsenal players put club commitments ahead of international duty after a wave of withdrawals. He said the club acted honestly with national federations and insisted the absences were genuine medical decisions rather than tactical attempts to protect players for the run-in. Arteta said Arsenal maintain transparent communication with national-team coaches, including Thomas Tuchel, and stressed that fit players should represent their countries. He added that Arsenal are proud to supply so many internationals, but said discomfort and medical evidence made the recent withdrawals unavoidable.

Tuchel Defends Rice and Saka Withdrawals and Backs Their Honesty

Thomas Tuchel
March 2026

Thomas Tuchel said he fully trusts Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka after both withdrew from England duty with discomfort. He acknowledged that the timing may look suspicious from the outside, but insisted medical checks supported their exits from camp. Reuters reported that eight England players left the squad for injury or health reasons after the Uruguay draw, while Tuchel said he personally saw the test results for Rice and Saka. He added that both wanted to be involved, but were clearly not comfortable enough to continue.

Declan Rice reveals Bukayo Saka’s derby message as Arsenal look to reset vs Spurs

Bukayo Saka
February 2026

Declan Rice shared that Bukayo Saka set expectations for north London derbies when Rice joined Arsenal, as the league leaders try to respond after conceding late in a damaging draw at Wolves. Arsenal let a 2-0 lead slip at Molineux and now face Spurs under new interim boss Igor Tudor; Rice points to the derby as the ideal pressure game to restore standards and momentum in the title race.

Bukayo Saka signs new Arsenal deal to 2031 and becomes club’s top earner

Bukayo Saka
February 2026

Bukayo Saka has signed a new long-term Arsenal contract through 2031, replacing his previous deal that ran to 2027. The extension reportedly makes him the club’s highest-paid player on more than £300,000 per week, ending lengthy negotiations. Saka had verbally agreed terms earlier in the year and has now signed formally. Arsenal have also secured other key renewals in the last 12 months, and Arteta can now focus on a run of fixtures across multiple competitions, with Saka recently trialed centrally as a No.10 in the FA Cup win over Wigan.

Hoddle questions Saka’s leadership after Arsenal’s late collapse at Wolves

Bukayo Saka
February 2026

Glenn Hoddle criticised Bukayo Saka’s leadership and “flat” demeanour after Arsenal surrendered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with bottom-side Wolves, denting their title push. Saka admitted the dressing-room mood was “very flat” and called the second-half level below Arsenal’s standards. Arsenal controlled the first hour and held a two-goal cushion before conceding to Bueno and Edozie, dropping points from a winning position. The result boosts Manchester City’s chase, with City five points back and holding a game in hand.

Arteta demands Arsenal “stand up” after Wolves collapse ruins two-goal lead

Mikel Arteta
February 2026

Arteta criticised the second-half performance and said the team must “stand up” during a difficult spell. Saka ended his goal drought with an early header from Rice’s cross after being used centrally, and Hincapie doubled the lead early in the second half. Wolves responded through a long-range Bueno strike and then a late equaliser, punishing Arsenal for a flat second half and poor game management.

Arteta trials Saka centrally as Arsenal cruise past Wigan

Bukayo Saka
February 2026

Mikel Arteta used Bukayo Saka centrally against Wigan in the FA Cup and Arsenal cruised 4-0, scoring four times inside 30 minutes. Saka started after Riccardo Calafiori suffered a warm-up knock, and Arteta slotted him in as a No. 8. Arteta said he had wanted to test the role-change and was pleased by the early cohesion despite many lineup switches. Goals from Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus plus a Jack Hunt own goal did the damage, and he hinted the tweak may return.

Bukayo Saka Given Tentative Return Window After Warm-Up Injury

Bukayo Saka
January 2026

Saka pulled out of Arsenal’s starting XI after picking up a groin issue in the warm-up at Elland Road. He is expected to miss the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Chelsea, but Arsenal believe the injury is not serious and he could return soon. Arteta said Saka felt a niggle in the warm-up, improved the next day, and Arsenal will monitor how he responds before deciding if he can feature “tomorrow or the weekend.”

Arteta Confirms Saka Hip Injury in Warm-Up, Arsenal Cruise Past Leeds

Bukayo Saka
January 2026

Saturday; injury in pre-match warm-up; next games vs Chelsea and Sunderland next week
What: Saka withdrew after a hip injury in the warm-up and was replaced in the XI by Madueke as Arsenal won 4-0 at Elland Road. Arsenal scored through Zubimendi, a Darlow own goal from a Madueke corner, then added goals from Gyokeres and Jesus. The win ended a three-game winless league run and restored a seven-point lead over Manchester City and Aston Villa, though both have a game in hand.

KSI Calls Saka Arsenal’s Key Man and Defends Gyokeres Role Despite Goals Dip

Bukayo Saka
January 2026

KSI said Saka is Arsenal’s most important player and argued Gyokeres still improves the team despite modest scoring numbers since his move. He claimed Gyokeres functions as a “magnet” that draws defenders and creates space for Saka, Trossard, and Odegaard, so Arsenal look better with him on the pitch.

123Page 1 of 3

POPULAR ARTICLES

© 2026 All Sports · All rights reserved.