Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka is expected to be sidelined for up to four weeks after sustaining a hamstring injury during Saturday’s emphatic 5-0 victory over Leeds United. The timing could not be worse, with the Gunners poised to face a daunting trip to Anfield to take on Liverpool.
The injury unfolded midway through the second half, in the 53rd minute, when Saka, who had just scored Arsenal’s second goal, pulled up sharply with what appeared to be a hamstring issue. Manager Mikel Arteta later confirmed that initial fears were high, particularly given that the injury affected the opposite leg from a previous setback, though the full severity remains pending medical assessment.
Arteta remarked post-match, “Bukayo had to come off after sprinting… it is the other side \[to his previous injury] but it is still not good… for Bukayo to come off, for sure it looks like something that is significant.” Speculation from injury analysts suggests that if the damage amounts to a Grade 2 sprain, the best-case recovery may lie between two and four weeks, although a more serious Grade 3 injury could extend this considerably.
Reinforcing these concerns, several reports noted that Saka is likely to miss Arsenal’s upcoming fixture at Liverpool as well as England’s World Cup qualifiers – emphasising the gravity of his absence.
However, there remains a glimmer of optimism. Follow-up scans carried out on Sunday revealed encouraging results, suggesting that neither Saka nor teammate Martin Ødegaard suffered long-term damage.
While the news offers hope of a quicker than expected return, Arsenal will await further evaluations this week to finalize a clearer timeline.
Saka has entrenched himself as one of Arsenal’s most influential figures. Since breaking into the first team in 2018, the London-born winger has consistently elevated his performance, becoming a creative force and a mainstay for both club and country.
His blend of pace, vision, and finishing has made him a vital component of Mikel Arteta’s system, and his absence is bound to be felt keenly both in attack and on the pitch as a psychological leader.
Arsenal’s current injury woes extend beyond Saka. Kai Havertz has already been ruled out with a knee problem, adding to concerns over squad depth.
Martin Ødegaard also suffered a shoulder issue after colliding awkwardly during the Leeds match and will undergo further scans. Manager Arteta emphasised, “We’ve been two weeks and we’ve already lost Kai, Martin and Bukayo… it tells you how well-equipped you have to be in this league.”
On a positive note, Arsenal’s summer signing Eberechi Eze was unveiled just before the Leeds match and has already captured attention with his flair and creativity.
Meanwhile, teenage academy prospects like 15-year-old Max Dowman have also seized the opportunity, with Dowman making an insightful Premier League debut and earning a stoppage-time penalty.
In Saka’s absence, Arsenal’s creativity and attacking fluidity will be put to the test. With Liverpool looming large on the horizon, Arteta must recalibrate his tactical setup, potentially leaning on the likes of Eze, Noni Madueke, Leandro Trossard, and even Dowman to fill the void.
Saka’s potential layoff also complicates international matters. England’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers could be affected, with the youngster likely to miss both the Liverpool fixture and the national team call-ups that follow.