'Arsenal's logic questioned over baffling treatment of Bukayo Saka vs Fulham'

04/01/2025 05:44 PM

Arsenal’s management of star man Bukayo Saka prior to his introduction against Fulham bemused a frustrated Tim Sherwood.

Saka was included in Arsenal’s matchday squad for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury against Crystal Palace in December.

The star winger’s absence has been a major factor in the Gunners’ failure to keep pace with Liverpool in the race for the Premier League title.

Saka underwent surgery on his hamstring, with doubts about whether he would return for Arsenal this season.

However, the 23-year-old came off the bench to score the match-winner against Fulham, but not before he received some questionable treatment from the Arsenal training staff.

Tim Sherwood ‘very disappointed’ with Arsenal’s treatment of Bukayo Saka

Prior to his introduction just past the hour mark, Saka was involved in some rigorous warm-ups, with his substitution seemingly imminent.

However, the Arsenal staff then made a decision that puzzled ex-Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood, who had been eagerly anticipating the return, as the English winger was placed back on the substitutes bench.

Speaking on Sky Sports Soccer Special, Sherwood said (8.54pm): “[He was warming up] very vigorously. I don’t understand the logic.

“We warmed him up for 10 minutes, trying to warm his hamstring up. I saw it, I thought it was very vigorous, what he was doing, to go and sit on the bench in the cold for another 10 minutes.

“I don’t understand the logic. He’s not on the pitch and I’m very disappointed with that as you can tell.”

Arsenal then brought on their star man in the 66th minute, with the England international marking his return with a goal following a wonderful piece of play from Gabriel Martinelli.

Bukayo Saka’s Arsenal return overshadowed by injury to Gabriel Magalhaes

Football Insider Verdict

The conversation that has dominated everything Arsenal in recent weeks has been, will Saka be fit in time to play Real Madrid?

The question was answered when Mikel Arteta introduced his main man against Fulham just past the hour mark.

However, there was a hesitation in celebrating the England international’s return, as Gabriel Magalhaes went down with a hamstring injury in the first half.

As important as Saka is to the way Arsenal play, it is hard to fathom how they will deal with the threat and dynamism posed by Real Madrid’s front three.

Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo are all good enough to make the best defender’s in the world look silly.

Instead of the indomitable Brazilian, Los Blanco’s deadly front-line will face off against the far less esteemed Jakub Kiwior.

Arteta will once again be forced to prove his tactical capabilities when the two heavyweight European giants meet on 8 April, finding a way to protect his weakened backline.

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