Why is Bukayo Saka not starting for Arsenal today against Bournemouth?

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Arsenal are up against Bournemouth in the first Premier League match of the calendar year 2026, and Bukayo Saka has not been named in the starting lineup.

Mikel Arteta has gone with a string side but has left out the talisman in Saka, who is a key player for the team. Leandro Trossard has also been left out of the lineup.

The Gunner's manager has started Noni Madueke on the right hand side, while Gabriel Martinelli has taken the place of Trossard on the left wing. Victor Gyokeres has started up front while a massive moment for the Gunners is that Declan Rice is back in the midfield.

The England international suffered a knock a week ago, which kept him out of the last two Premier League matches. But his knee is not swollen anymore, and Rice is fit to start for the North London Club in this crucial encounter.

Why is Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard not starting for Arsenal Today?

There is no injury concern for either players as they have been named on the bench. The sole reason for putting Saka and Trossard among the substitutes is fatigue and workload management. Arsenal have been going through a busy period and it will continue till the first week of February.

The Gunners play as many as four competitions in the next 28 days, and will be 11 matches in the next 35 days including this encounter against Bournemouth. Both Saka and Trossard have started for the North London club regularly in the recent weeks, which warrants a much needed breather for them.

Madueke and Martinelli have played from the bench in recent times, and now they get an opportunity from the start. Elsewhere, Gabriel Jesus also remains on the bench while Mikel Merino sits out after Rice's arrival.

Arsenal Starting XI vs Bournemouth

Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Gyokeres, Martinelli

Arsenal Bench: Kepa, White, Lewis-Skelly, Norgaard, Eze, Merino, Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Trossard