Arsenal have explained the seriousness of Bukayo Saka's injury after his absence for their Premier League fixture against Manchester United.
The England international has been integral as the Gunners have turned their form around in recent weeks, scoring four and assisting two in his last six appearances.
He was expected to start the game at the Emirates against one of Arsenal 's biggest rivals. It was therefore a surprise to see that he wasn't named in the squad at all when team news was revealed with Gabriel Martinelli taking his place on the wing.
And now the club have opened up on the nature of the 19-year-old's absence for this match.
In a statement on their official social media pages, the Gunners confirmed that Saka is missing the game as a precaution as a result of a hip injury.
"Bukayo has been left out as a precaution due to a sore hip"
It is not yet known exactly how long Arsenal are expecting the versatile winger to be out for, but the fact that they are saying the absence is only as a safety measure suggests the England international shouldn't be out for too long.
He is replaced in the staring XI by Martinelli, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang still missing due to quarantining restrictions as football.london reported on Friday.
Kieran Tierney is also absent once again for the Gunners, after failing a late fitness test and speaking ahead of the match against Manchester United at the Emirates, Mikel Arteta admitted the decision to leave them out had been taken out of his hands.
"They are both injured they could not make the game," said the Spaniard. "So they are out of the squad as well."
Cedric Soares replaces Tierney yet again, while Hector Bellerin captains the Gunners in Aubameyang's absence.
You join our Arsenal writers Kaya Kaynak and Chris Wheatley for live coverage of their match against Manchester United with football.london 's live blog.
