Arsenal are concerned that Bukayo Saka could be sidelined for up to eight weeks due to a quadriceps injury picked up during their Champions League fixture against Bayern Munich. The 25-year-old forward is scheduled to undergo an MRI scan on Friday afternoon to provide a clearer evaluation of the problem that forced him off during the 2-2 draw at the Allianz Arena.
Injury Assessment and Upcoming Misses
Medical staff at the club have found it challenging to diagnose the exact severity of the issue immediately because of fluid surrounding the affected muscle. However, initial examinations suggest the winger will be out of action for a minimum of six weeks, and potentially longer.
Should these early projections prove accurate, Saka will be absent for a series of crucial fixtures for the Gunners, as well as England’s upcoming UEFA Nations League encounters against Croatia and Spain. Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal head coach, discussed the situation by stating that they require further scans and opinions from specialists. Arteta added that when a player struggles to walk without pain and has restricted movement, it is not a positive sign, and urged patience before a definitive assessment is made.
The forward will definitely miss Saturday’s Premier League home fixture against Everton, where second-placed Arsenal aim to reduce a three-point deficit behind league leaders Manchester City. The academy graduate has faced various fitness concerns in recent months, with his playing time carefully managed late last season and during the World Cup due to an Achilles problem sustained in March.
Recent Injury History and Squad Impact
Saka missed the March international break and seven matches for Arsenal before returning to assist the team in securing their first Premier League title in 22 years. He started the Champions League final defeat against Paris St-Germain before being substituted in the 54th minute, and started only three of England’s eight World Cup matches, though he did score a hat-trick in the 6-4 third-place playoff victory against France. Furthermore, he underwent surgery for a hamstring injury sustained in December 2024, which sidelined him for 101 days during the 2024-25 campaign, and also battled hip and hamstring issues last term.
BBC Sport reported that this latest muscle injury raises fresh questions regarding his durability, a topic Arteta acknowledged by noting that Saka’s availability has varied over the past year or so. Arsenal attempted to recruit a top-tier forward during the summer window through pursuits of Vinicius Jr and Julian Alvarez, but those moves were unsuccessful, and summer signing Christos Tzolis is also currently injured. Arteta’s remaining wing options consist of Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze, and 16-year-old Max Dowman, a teenager the manager praised for his talent and impact.
Source: BBC Sport
