Gunners
Bukayo Saka Injury Update: Arsenal receive encouraging news
Arsenal fans were left fearing the worst on Saturday after Bukayo Saka limped off against Leeds United clutching his hamstring. Mikel Arteta admitted post-match that the issue looked “significant,” sparking immediate concern that the Gunners’ talisman could be facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Saka’s early exit came on a day when Arsenal swept aside Leeds 5-0, but injuries to both Saka and captain Martin Ødegaard in the same match dampened the mood ahead of next weekend’s trip to Anfield.
However, after further medical checks, the picture looks more positive.
Saka Set for Swift Return
According to Arsenal reporter Charles Watts, the expectation inside the club is that Saka will only miss the clash with Liverpool, with a view to being back in contention for the Nottingham Forest game on September 13, immediately after the international break.
That would be a huge relief for Arteta, particularly with Arsenal facing Manchester City away the following week. Even if Forest comes slightly too soon, the winger is expected to be close to a full recovery by then.
Charles Watts quoted:
“In Saka’s case, he will certainly miss this weekend’s game against Liverpool. Maybe the Nottingham Forest game after the international break will also come too soon for him, but there is certainly a hope he will be close to a return by that point.”
There were huge fears when Saka clutched his hamstring, but the latest assessments suggest the injury is not as bad as first feared.
Arsenal’s Squad Depth Gives Arteta Options for Liverpool
One key difference between this season and last is Arsenal’s greater squad depth. In the previous campaign, losing Saka felt catastrophic, but the summer’s recruitment drive was designed precisely for moments like this.
The signing of Noni Madueke from Chelsea raised eyebrows at the time, but with Saka sidelined, the £55m winger suddenly looks like a shrewd addition. Madueke now has a golden opportunity to prove his worth and show he can step into the right flank without Arsenal losing their attacking edge. He impressed against Leeds United, originally starting on the LW but switching to the RW for a short period once Saka was forced off injury, before being substituted off himself once the scoreline was 4-0.
🏴Madueke vs Leeds
— 🇳🇴 kimmoFC (@kimmoFC) August 23, 2025
63 mins played. I thought he looked promising. Him running at defenders is exciting and something we've missed. With Saka out for a longer period he might switch to the RW.pic.twitter.com/wBrAKn0fgd
On the opposite side, Eberechi Eze is expected to make his long-awaited debut, bringing his creativity and unpredictability from the left wing. His ability to drift inside should ease some of the creative burden on Odegaard, assuming the Norwegian shakes off his own knock in time.
Through the middle, Viktor Gyökeres will continue to lead the line, giving Arsenal a more physical presence than in previous years.
The Next Generation Waiting in the Wings
Arteta also has the option of turning to Arsenal’s exciting crop of academy talents. Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman are both pushing for further first-team opportunities after impressing against Leeds United.
Was Max Dowman's debut against Leeds one of the performances of the weekend?
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) August 25, 2025
David Reed looks at how the 15-year-old stood out in Arsenal's 5-0 win over Leeds 🔴 pic.twitter.com/nwc36EfWev
While it may be too soon to thrust them into a high-stakes clash at Anfield, their presence gives Arsenal more attacking depth than they had this time last year. Expect to see them increasingly integrated across the season, particularly in domestic cup competitions.
Looking at the positives
Losing Saka is never ideal, but the timing of the injury – coming just before an international break – could work in Arsenal’s favour. If the winger does return against Forest, Arsenal will have dodged a major bullet ahead of their games against Manchester City and trip to St James Park vs Newcastle.
More importantly, this situation highlights the value of the club’s summer transfer business. Where once Saka’s absence might have left Arsenal short, Arteta now has senior reinforcements and emerging youngsters to lean on.
For now, the message is clear: Arsenal will have to cope without their star man at Anfield – but he won’t be out for long.
Most Read
