Bukayo Saka injury
Image credit: Getty Images
Arsenal are carefully assessing the fitness of Bukayo Saka as they consider bringing him back into the squad for Sunday’s high-stakes Premier League clash with Manchester City, according toMetro.
The 24-year-old winger has been sidelined since sustaining a hamstring injury against Leeds United last month and has since been following a targeted recovery programme. Manager Mikel Arteta has urged patience, emphasising the need to “respect the process,” but confirmed that Saka is “evolving really well” and carrying out “very specific work” as part of his rehabilitation.
Stephen Smith, CEO of performance and risk management specialists Kitman Labs, believes the recovery timeline points towards a low-level grade two hamstring strain, which typically requires three to four weeks of rest.
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“Players in this situation are generally going to slot back in and train two or three times before they are available for selection,” Smith told Metro.
“Not just the manager but the medical team will want to make sure they have been gradually exposed to all aspects of training. My understanding is that he did at least the first 15 minutes of a training session on Monday before they went off [to Spain for the Champions League game]. That would be very normal in terms of a gradual return.”
Bukayo Saka injury
Bukayo Saka sustained a hamstring injury against Leeds United (Image credit: Getty Images)
Smith added that players recovering from repeated hamstring issues often need to be eased into “two to three sessions” before reaching the physical levels required for competitive action.
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Despite encouraging signs, Saka remains a major doubt for the meeting at the Emirates. Arsenal’s medical team will continue to monitor his response to increased training intensity and fitness tests this week before a final decision is made.
The England international did not travel with the squad for their Champions League opener against Athletic Bilbao but is expected to be reintegrated further into training in the coming days.
Saka’s potential return would be a huge boost for Arsenal, who have been without their talisman since the second week of the season. His creativity and end product in the final third have been sorely missed, even as summer signing Noni Madueke has impressed in his absence.
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