Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has urged Bukayo Saka to time off while he recovers from a serious hamstring injury - insisting the winger needs time to "refresh"

Saka, 23, is set to be sidelined until March after he sustained a hamstring injury in the Gunners' 5-1 win over Crystal Palace in December.

Since undergoing surgery at the end of last month, the England international has been recovering alongside his team-mates at Arsenal's London Colney training ground.

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Arteta, though, has urged the forward to take a few days off for a holiday as he believes it will benefit Saka's rehabilitation.

"Yes, he needs to," replied Arteta when asked by reporters if Saka should take time off. "He is obligated to go, with his girlfriend, or his family, or on his own, he can choose.

"He needs to get away for a few days and refresh. He can still do a lot of things with his rehabilitation because it is the perfect stage. It will make him better."

"He [Saka] has been with his teammates every single day. But there is a moment, especially when we are going to be away for a few days, that he needs to do that [go on holiday.]

"That is very important for him as well. We need to look after our players."

Since making his debut for the Gunners in 2015, Sakah has made 250 appearances for the club, scoring 67 goals and providing 67 assists.

The forward has also been capped 43 times by England since his debut in October 2020.