"I hope it’s nothing really bad" - Thierry Henry reacts to Arsenal superstar's exclusion from matchday squad for Everton clash

Thierry Henry has reacted to Arsenal's superstar Bukayo Saka, who was left out of the matchday squad to face Everton in their title-decider clash on May 19. Mikel Arteta's men had to make do without the 22-year-old, who has rarely missed a match for this season.

Saka has played 35 Premier League games this season, having played the full 28 league games for two seasons in a row. He's also been their most important player in this domestic campaign, scoring 16 goals and providing nine assists to guide them to second place in the league.

With the Premier League title on the line, it was widely expected that Arsenal's star man would be available to play. However, to the surprise of many, including Thierry Henry, Saka wasn't even added to the matchday squad. The Gunners legend said to Premier League Productions (via HITC):

“No, we don’t know what happened and what’s happening with Bukayo, I hope it’s nothing really bad. But today is about trying to win the game without Bukayo, it’s about trying to find a way to win the game and wait. It’s the worst situation ever. Whatever you can do and the run Arsenal has been on, you still have to wait on what’s going to happen up north."

Henry added:

“I know Bukayo isn’t playing and I hope he is okay. But we need to find a way to win games. We are talking about Arsenal, but I wanted to add something about Man City. Kevin de Bruyne missed a lot of games. 14 starts only this year. Ten assists. But Phil Foden came or whoever. Ortega the other day.

"I always say talent will win you games, but team effort and work ethic will win you titles. That’s all it is. It doesn’t matter who or whatever you want to talk about, this is why Bukayo isn’t playing, okay, someone needs to come with something.”

Arsenal officially put out a statement saying that Saka missed the game due to a small muscular injury.

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Arsenal lose Premier League title to Manchester City

Once more, Arsenal did their best, but could only secure an impressive second place in the Premier League title race, ending their season trophyless. Although they didn't have Bukayo Saka on the pitch, they managed to snatch the win over Everton. Kai Havertz scored a late goal to hand them all three points in a 2-1 win.

However, 200 miles away at the Etihad Stadium, it was also a three-point haul for Manchester City, who won the league with a small two-point gap. Pep Guardiola's men handed West Ham United a 3-1 beating.

Mikel Arteta and Co. have pushed against City for the second season running, but once again, they have fallen short. They will need to return to the drawing board in the summer, in preparations for next season as they look to launch a title-winning campaign once more.