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Why Bukayo Saka is on the bench for Arsenal against Bournemouth
Jan 03 2026 17:17 · By Tony Mogan · 116 Reads
Saka arrived at the Vitality with his Arsenal teammates (Picture: Getty)
Bukayo Saka has been left out of the Arsenal starting XI taking on Bournemouth this evening.
The England international missed two Premier League games with a hamstring injury early in the season but has played in every game since, including Tuesday’s 4-1 victory over Aston Villa .
But the Gunners star has been named on the bench at the Vitality Stadium with Noni Madueke starting on the right ahead of him.
Saka trained with the squad as normal on Friday with no suggestion this week he has been carrying an injury.
With a huge clash with Liverpool looming next Thursday, Mikel Arteta may have opted to rest his winger with that game in mind.
Leandro Trossard also misses out, against the Cherries on the bench with Gabriel Martinelli given the nod on the left.