Arsenal must be cautious with Saka, says Arteta

ARSENAL manager Mikel Arteta was impressed with midfielder Bukayo Saka's display in their 1-0 victory at Brighton & Hove Albion on Tuesday, but said it was important not to expect too much too soon from the English teenager.

Saka, who scored in Arsenal's 3-1 win against Chelsea on Saturday, was a constant threat against Brighton and set up Alexandre Lacazette's 66th-minute winner.

The 19-year-old made his England debut in October after a breakthrough 2019-20 season and has been a rare bright spark in Arsenal's turbulent campaign.

“I would like everybody to be cautious and let him be and let him develop. I think he's having the right progression,” Arteta said of Saka.

“I think he's got the right people around him in his house, in his entourage.”

Meanwhile, Leeds United chairman Andrea Radrizzani has hit out at former England women's international Karen Carney after she suggested that last season's Covid-19 shutdown helped them win promotion to the Premier League.

Carney, speaking in her role as a pundit for Amazon Prime during Leeds' 5-0 win at West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday, said they ran the risk of losing steam at the end of the campaign because of their high-tempo style.

“They outrun everyone, and credit to them. My only concern would be, will they blow up at the end of the season like the last couple of seasons,” said Carney.

“I actually think they got promoted because of Covid-19 in terms of it giving them a bit of respite. I don't know if they'd have got up if they didn't have that break.”

The 2019-20 Championship season resumed in June after a three-month hiatus due to the pandemic and Leeds went on to win with a tally of 93 points.

In response to her comments, Leeds tweeted: “Promoted because of Covid. Won the league by 10 points.”

Radrizzani also said on Twitter the comment was “completely unnecessary and disrespectful to our club”.