Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has said Bukayo Saka should take time off while he recovers from a hamstring injury, urging the winger to take some time to "refresh.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has told Bukayo Saka to take a well-earned holiday. Saka is currently out injured after tearing his hamstring last month and is not expected back in action until at least March. The injury is the first major one of Saka’s career and prior to that he had been one of Arsenal and England’s most consistent performers.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Aston Villa (kick-off 17:30). Here are the key lines from his news conference:

Mikel Arteta says the “necessity” for Arsenal to add to their squad has ramped up after injuries to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus. Saka tore his hamstring in December and will be out of action until at least March, while Jesus is set for a long spell on the sidelines after injuring his knee earlier this month.

Liverpool and Arsenal currently occupy the top two places in the Premier League standings but Mikel Arteta is expecting more clubs to be involved in the title race

Losing to Aston Villa twice played a major role in Arsenal falling short in last season's Premier League title race, and manager Mikel Arteta does not want to take Unai Emery's side for granted despite a win at Villa Park in August.

Mikel Arteta is coming under pressure from some quarters to secure a striker to boost Arsenal's title challenge, yet one former player has called for calm

Arsenal are allegedly in direct talks with a highly-rated striker, and manager Mikel Arteta has already spoken with him.