Arsenal enjoyed a thoroughly positive matchday against Leeds United, aside from the injuries to Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka. The pair picked up respective issues either side of the break on Saturday, prompting understandable concern from supporters. Those fears eased slightly on Sunday as reports revealed the injuries were not as serious as first suspected.
Bukayo Saka’s hamstring problem is considered the more severe. According to Sky Sports, he will miss the clash with Liverpool and could be sidelined for up to four weeks. That timeline rules him out against Liverpool, but how many matches could the winger realistically miss?
Which games Saka will likely sit out
Alongside Arsenal, the England national team will also be affected. Following this weekend’s club fixtures, there is an international break, and Saka is set to miss World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia in early September.
For Arsenal, their first fixture after Liverpool is away to Nottingham Forest on the 13th of September. The timing makes it unlikely Saka will be ready, meaning he could miss that match as well. He will then set his sights on the huge clash against Manchester City on the 21st.
It is anticipated that Noni Madueke will be the automatic replacement for Saka during this time.
Potential return date
The reported recovery schedule should give Saka a chance of being available for that fixture, although there are no guarantees with hamstring injuries. If he is not passed fit in time, the following match against Newcastle on the 28th is a more realistic target.
In this scenario, the England international would likely miss three games for Arsenal. That number could yet increase if domestic cup competitions are factored into the schedule, but for now, the damage appears limited.
How big of a blow will Saka’s absence be for Arsenal’s attack, Gooners?
Benjamin Kenneth
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Saka may have to rethink his playing style and hold less longer to the ball knowing that he draws a lot of attention from defenders. He should look to passing the ball more to his mates and create more movement for the ball and freeing himself from these injury-creating tackles.
We need him available more often if the ambitions and expectations of this season are to be realised.
Arteta and his team may also have to review their training methods; too many training injuries!
Christian Norgaard played almost every Brentford game last season; now he can’t even start the season with Arsenal as a result of a training injury, exactly mirroring what happened with Merino last season
Havertz is out for only God knows how long because of a second serious training injury.
Something doesn’t smell right imo; and the earlier that “something” is fished out, the better for the team.
Neither of Saka’s hamstring injuries was caused by tackles, and he does not need to adapt his play, unless you want him to benless of a player.
to be less of…
Agree Jax!!
Maybe I am wrong.Saka injuries are hamstrings which don’t really arise from match tackles but from muscle fatigue or hamstrings being vulnerable to high speed running or sprinting.
Yes they are.
For me it’s never a good time to get injured, but if there was this is it. First it’s early in the season, not ideal but better now than later. And the fact the International break is coming up, will hopefully mean he doesn’t miss to many league games.
I don’t know if I’m the only one who thinks this way, but I far prefer to see our clubs players producing for us over International football any day of the week. Anyone else agree?.