Arsenal fear Bukayo Saka could miss up to two months
Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka faces a spell of at least six to eight weeks on the sidelines due to a quadriceps injury sustained in a 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Bukayo Saka sustained a quadriceps injury during Arsenal's 2-2 Champions League draw against Bayern Munich.
- Club medics estimate the 25-year-old winger will be sidelined for a minimum of six weeks, potentially stretching to eight.
- Manager Mikel Arteta stated that the club is awaiting further MRI scans and specialist opinions.
- The injury rules him out of crucial club fixtures and England's upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Croatia and Spain.
Arsenal are facing a significant squad crisis after winger Bukayo Saka suffered a quadriceps injury during their 2-2 Champions League stalemate against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday. The 25-year-old was forced off the pitch and is now facing a recovery period estimated to last at least six weeks, with fears it could extend even further.
Diagnosing the severity of the issue has proven challenging due to fluid accumulating around the affected muscle area. Early examinations from the club's medical staff point toward a lengthy layoff, which would serve as a major setback for the Gunners' domestic and European ambitions as they navigate a demanding fixture schedule.
Saka is scheduled to undergo an MRI scan on Friday afternoon to provide a clearer picture of the damage. Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta addressed the media regarding the situation, emphasizing that the club requires further medical imaging and expert consultations before determining the exact rehabilitation timeline.
If these initial projections prove accurate, Saka will be absent for Saturday's crucial Premier League home fixture against Everton. Second-placed Arsenal are currently striving to close a three-point gap behind league leaders Manchester City. Furthermore, the forward is set to miss England's upcoming UEFA Nations League encounters against Croatia and Spain.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
"We need a few more scans and opinions from the specialists,"
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal Head Coach
The latest setback compounds a difficult period of fitness struggles for the Arsenal academy graduate. Throughout the previous campaign, Saka battled through Achilles, hip, and hamstring issues, including undergoing surgery on a hamstring injury that sidelined him for 101 days during the 2024-25 season. Despite these interruptions, he made 49 appearances to help Arsenal secure their first Premier League title in 22 years.
Losing Saka deals a heavy blow to Mikel Arteta's tactical plans, especially given the manager's recent efforts to adjust the winger's positioning to increase his goalscoring output, which had yielded four goals in 11 appearances this term. With summer signing Christos Tzolis also sidelined through injury, Arteta's remaining attacking alternatives are limited to Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze, and 16-year-old prospect Max Dowman, placing immense pressure on the squad's remaining depth.
Source: BBC Sport
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