Update on Bukayo Saka’s Injury
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided an update on Bukayo Saka‘s injury, indicating that the young England forward is expected to miss only a few weeks of action. However, Arteta also expressed significant concern over Saka’s recurring hamstring issues, noting that this marks the second injury in eight months.
Details of the Injury
Saka sustained the injury during the second half of Arsenal’s recent victory against Leeds, leading to his absence in the upcoming match against Liverpool. Thankfully, initial fears regarding the severity of his condition have been alleviated, with hopes that the 23-year-old could return to the pitch by next month.
Last season, Saka faced a much longer stint on the sidelines, missing three and a half months due to surgery on his right hamstring in December. He made a comeback in April, participating in 13 matches before facing another setback—a left hamstring injury—just two games into the current season.
Arteta’s Comments
Arteta reassured fans that surgery would not be necessary this time, stating, “It’s not as bad as the previous one. He felt something, so he will be out for a couple of weeks.” He further added, “It is obviously a concern, a big one, especially for a player like Saka who relies heavily on his sprinting ability and pace changes during games.”
Other Injury Concerns
Aside from Saka, Arsenal may be without up to seven key players in their pivotal matchup with the Premier League champions. Injuries also sideline Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz, while Martin Ødegaard, Christian Nørgaard, Leandro Trossard, and Ben White remain uncertain for the game. Havertz recently underwent what the club termed a minor operation on his knee, compounding the Gunners’ injury woes. Arteta lamented Havertz’s situation, indicating that it was particularly unfortunate as he had just returned from a previous hamstring injury that kept him out for three months.
As for Ødegaard, Arteta noted he has yet to train but is doing everything necessary to recover in time for the match, saying, “Hopefully, if everything goes well, he can cope with it.”
Looking Ahead to the Match
Facing off against Liverpool, who were the previous season’s runners-up with a 10-point lead over Arsenal, Arteta acknowledged the Reds as formidable contenders:
“The favourite is always the one that won the previous year. Somebody has to come and take that crown away from them, and that is what we will try to do. Our goal is to be better than them.”
