Former Premier League star Jamie Redknapp has criticised Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta for starting Bukayo Saka in their Carabao Cup third-round victory over Port Vale on Wednesday night.
Saka recently recovered from a hamstring injury that ruled him out of games against Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, only making his return in last weekend’s Premier League clash with Manchester City. Despite this, Arteta included the winger in the line-up at Vale Park, a decision Redknapp described as unnecessary and risky.
Speaking during an interview with newsmen, Redknapp said:
“The sports scientist will be telling him he needs minutes [but] it’s certainly a risk. When you’ve had a player who’s had a hamstring injury like he has, any time you play in a game that’s less important, it doesn’t make any sense to me. You’ve got a big game at the weekend against Newcastle.”
Arteta, however, defended his decision after the 2-0 win, explaining that Saka himself requested to play to sharpen his fitness ahead of the crucial Premier League clash with Newcastle United.
