Arsenal have been dealt a potential hammer blow after Bukayo Saka limped off just 10 minutes into their 2-2 Champions League draw with Bayern Munich, with manager Mikel Arteta admitting the winger’s quadriceps injury “does not look good at all.”
Bukayo Saka (Credits: BBC Sport)
The 25-year-old went down at the Allianz Arena attempting a routine pass with nobody around him, immediately signalling for the physio before being replaced by Eberechi Eze — who went on to open the scoring for the Gunners. “They are a bit concerned. A player who has to come off with a really sharp pain is never good news, but we have to wait and see,” Arteta told TNT Sports.
A Worrying Injury History
This is the latest in a growing list of fitness concerns for Saka. He missed the March international break and seven Arsenal games with an Achilles problem picked up in March, though he returned in time to help the Gunners lift the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years.
He started the Champions League final defeat to Paris St-Germain but was withdrawn after 54 minutes, and managed only three starts in England’s eight World Cup games — though he did score a hat-trick in the 6-4 third-place play-off win over France. Earlier, hamstring surgery in December 2024 had sidelined him for 101 days in the 2024-25 season.
How Will Arsenal Cope?
Despite the early setback in Munich, Arsenal still impressed, with Declan Rice’s late equaliser rescuing a point. “It’s not necessarily something that means the team will struggle heavily,” said pundit Nedum Onuoha, “but there is a reason why he is regarded as one of the best players in this Arsenal team.”
Arteta’s squad is built for exactly this scenario. Noni Madueke switched from the left wing to the right and looked bright after Saka’s exit, while Eze’s goal came after coming off the bench. Christos Tzolis — though currently out with a hamstring injury himself — has started the season well, and 16-year-old Max Dowman has already shown he can make an impact at senior level.
“I think Ebs had a great game,” Arteta said of Eze. “Not only the ball, but the actions. His overall performance, his commitment without the ball as well.” With Saka having scored four goals in 11 appearances this season, Arsenal will now sweat on scan results — and hope their depth can carry them through.
Also Read: One Goal in Nine Games: Why Eberechi Eze Can’t Find His Form at Arsenal | Sloppy England Start Winter With 87-Run Defeat to Pakistan in Rawalpindi ODI
Source: BBC Sport — read the full story there.
