Arsenal star Bukayo Saka. Photo: Getty Images
Premier League champions Arsenal face an anxious wait over Bukayo Saka’s fitness after head coach Mikel Arteta admitted the signs surrounding the England star’s latest injury are “not good”.
Saka was forced off just 10 minutes into Arsenal’s 2-2 UEFA Champions League draw against Bayern Munich on Thursday (AEDT), suffering a left thigh injury that has ruled him out of the club’s Premier League clash with Everton on Sunday (AEDT).
The 25-year-old winger – who has scored four goals and supplied one assist across all competitions – underwent scans, but Arsenal have been unable to determine the full extent of the problem, with further examinations and specialist assessments required.
Reports have raised fears that Saka could be sidelined for up to two months, although Arteta stressed that no definitive diagnosis or return date has been established.
“He’s got another MRI this afternoon because he had quite a lot of fluid in the area so it was difficult to understand the extent of the injury,” Arteta said on Friday.
“We will know more probably tomorrow.”
“We need a few more scans and opinions from the specialists,” Arteta explained.
“When a player is struggling to walk without any pain, he’s restricted in movement, they are not good signs.”
Saka’s latest setback continues a frustrating period for the England international, who has battled several fitness problems in recent seasons.
“The demands that we are putting to every player are immense,” Arteta added.
“The amount of games, the intensity of those matches, the international competitions, the times as well between games are getting narrower.”
Arsenal must prepare to face Everton without one of their most influential attacking players.
The Gunners are second in the Premier League table after seven rounds, three points adrift of Manchester City.
Arsenal have not confirmed a return date for Saka.
The winger is ruled out against Everton, but his availability for subsequent matches remains uncertain pending further scans and specialist advice.
While reports have suggested a possible two-month absence, that timeframe has not been confirmed by Arsenal.
Arsenal face a demanding run of matches as Arteta waits to learn how long he will be without Saka.
* Saturday, October 24 (October 25 AEDT): Arsenal v Everton (Premier League)
* Tuesday, October 27 (October 28 AEDT): Fleetwood Town v Arsenal (Carabao Cup)
* Sunday, November 1 (November 2 AEDT): Liverpool v Arsenal (Premier League)
* Wednesday, November 4 (November 5 AEDT): Slavia Prague v Arsenal (Champions League)
* Saturday, November 7 (November 8 AEDT): Arsenal v Hull City (Premier League)
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