Reports claimed that Saka had been enjoying some downtime out of the country while he recovers from an injury that is set to keep him out until at least late March. The 23-year-old is expected to miss England's World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia.
Arteta did not divulge any details of Saka's trip. Asked about the holiday, the Gunners head coach bluntly responded: "He did go, that question is for him."
It comes a month after the 42-year-old demanded Saka to go on holiday. He felt that the Arsenal star would benefit from a ‘refresh’ during his rehabilitation.
Arteta said at the time: "Yes, he needs to. 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."
Saka has played an enormous amount of football for Arsenal and England over the past few years. Before this season, he had missed only six club matches in two years. Arteta was therefore keen for the academy graduate to take some time away from the gruelling nature of elite football.
The No. 7's absence is part of a wider injury crisis at Arsenal which has wiped out much of Arteta's attacking threat. Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus are out for the remainder of the season with hamstring and knee injuries, respectively.
Arsenal have been drawn against PSV in the Champions League last-16, with the two-legged tie to be played across two weeks in March, starting from the week commencing March 3. Arteta was coy on whether Saka and Martinelli could have some involvement across either game.
"I’m not sure. That’s a question for the doctor,” he said.
“Both are going really well. [Gabriel] Martinelli is a bit ahead of Bukayo [Saka] but they will have to see. How the boys are feeling and what we are prepared to do.”
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