Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is still in the dark about the severity of the injuries that Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard suffered against Leeds United on Saturday.
The Gunners made it two for two in the 2025-26 Premier League season by thrashing the Whites 5-0 at the Emirates, where Viktor Gyokeres bagged his first goals in red and white alongside another brace from Jurrien Timber and a near-post Saka strike.
However, Arsenal lost skipper Odegaard to a shoulder problem in between Saka and Gyokeres's goals; the Norwegian initially tried to carry on after a heavy fall but eventually made way for Ethan Nwaneri towards the end of the first half.
To make matters worse, a dejected Saka then trudged off early in the second period with a suspected hamstring problem, having immediately pulled up following a sprint as Leandro Trossard replaced the England international.
Speaking to reporters in his post-game press conference, Arteta confirmed that the pair would undergo further assessment on Sunday, although the one saving grace with Saka is that he has not injured the same hamstring that put him out for three months last season.
Arteta delivers Saka, Odegaard injury latest after Leeds win
Arsenal's Bukayo Saka receives treatment for an injury on August 23, 2025
"That's the negatives of the day," Arteta said when quizzed on the injuries. "Martin felt something in his shoulder when he landed. We don't know, we'll have to scan him tomorrow and understand a bit better.
"And Bukayo, while he was carrying the ball, wrestling with the defender, he felt something in his hamstring. Let's see, I think it's the other one, it's not the same one as the previous injury.
"We've been two weeks and we've already lost Kai [Havertz], Martin and Bukayo, so it tells you how well-equipped you have to be in this league to manage and to maintain the level that we want."
Fellow attacker Kai Havertz was spotted watching on from the sidelines following his recent knee injury, and there is still no indication how serious the German's issue is, but it would be a surprise to see him line up against Liverpool next weekend.
The North London giants are also expected to be without Gabriel Jesus for another few months owing to his ACL injury, but Saturday showed that Arteta now has the resources required to cope with attacking deficiencies, which was not the case last season.
Who could replace Saka, Odegaard for Arsenal in Liverpool clash?
Arsenal's Eberechi Eze pictured on August 23, 2025
There is every chance that Odegaard's issue was simply an impact injury, but Saka's hamstring problem is much more alarming, both for Arteta and England boss Thomas Tuchel.
Even a minor problem would likely keep the winger out for a couple of weeks, but Arteta has Noni Madueke and 15-year-old Max Dowman - who won a late penalty for Gyokeres to convert on Saturday - capable of covering for the Hale End starlet.
As far as Odegaard alternatives are concerned, Ethan Nwaneri may be licking his lips at the prospect of a start in the captain's place at Anfield; after dabbling in right-wing duties last term, the belief is that his future now lies in a central position.
The 18-year-old is first in line to step in for the skipper, but new signing Eberechi Eze - who was presented to the Emirates crowd on Saturday afternoon - is another strong contender for that slot.
However, the most likely scenario is that Madueke operates on the right in Saka's absence, allowing Eze to start on his favoured left-hand side and Nwaneri to pull the strings in the Odegaard role.
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