Bukayo Saka has his Premier League streak broken through illness

Mikel Arteta has explained how Bukayo Saka's relegation to the Arsenal bench against Leeds on Saturday was due to the winger suffering with illness.

Gunners boss Arteta was forced into naming a starting Premier League side without Saka for the first time since December 2021 when Arsenal were beaten 3-2 at Old Trafford by Manchester United.

The skilful winger has been a mainstay in Arteta's starting XI since then but started on the bench against a Leeds side seeking to avoid relegation to the Championship.

Arteta confirmed Saka's absence pre-match as he explained the 21-year-old missed training on Friday but felt well enough to be named on the bench for Saturday's Emirates clash.

'He wasn't able to train Friday, he was feeling unwell and he didn't train,' said Arteta.

Bukayo Saka has been named on Arsenal's bench in the Premier League for the first time since December 2021

Saka (left) didn't start against Leeds on Saturday after feeling unwell earlier in the week

'Today he feels a bit better so we could have him,' he added.

Saka's absence would have had some Arsenal fans fearing that their quest for a first Premier League title in 20 years could be disrupted.

However, those fears were quickly rebuffed as Gabriel Jesus marked his first start since returning from injury with a brace against Leeds.

Saka was recently awarded his first-ever Premier League player-of-the-month award for March after scoring three goals and registering two assists in the English top-flight during the month.

But Arteta vowed that he wouldn't let his prized attacking asset let his recent success for both club and country go to his head as he jokingly warned Arsenal 'always have a stick ready' to knock bring him back down to earth.

Mikel Arteta hailed the winger's humble nature - but joked he will try to keep his feet on the ground

Saka (left) is expected to return to the starting line-up against Liverpool next weekend

The Spaniard quipped pre-match: 'He's going to have to deal with that, the expectations of the media, attention on the pitch - when you want to fulfil a role like the one he has at the moment, you need to be capable of doing that. We have to help him. 

'So don't read too much, don't listen too much, just focus on what you have to do every day. That's it.' 

The manager added: 'We don't know if he is aware of that (hype). We don't know how much he reads, how much we allow him to read and listen. And we always have a stick ready, don't worry!'

Saka's absence is only expected to be temporary and will likely return to Arteta's starting side for next weekend's tenacious trip to Anfield.