Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed concern over Bukayo Saka’s quadriceps injury after the winger was forced off early in their 2-2 UEFA Champions League draw against Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
The 25-year-old went down in the 10th minute at the Allianz Arena while attempting a pass without an opponent nearby.
He was replaced by Eberechi Eze, who later scored Arsenal’s opening goal.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, Arteta said the initial signs were worrying but stressed that further assessment was needed to determine the severity of the injury.
“They are a bit concerned.
“A player who has to come off with a really sharp pain is never good news, but we have to wait and see,” he said.
The latest setback raises fresh concerns over Saka’s fitness following a series of injuries in recent months.
The England international struggled with an Achilles injury sustained in March, which forced Arsenal and England to manage his playing time.
He missed seven matches for the Gunners before returning to help them win the Premier League title.
Saka also underwent surgery for a hamstring injury sustained in December 2024, which kept him out for 101 days during the 2024-25 season.
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Despite the setbacks, he made 49 appearances as Arsenal won the league title last season. He also missed time after suffering a hip injury during a warm-up against Leeds in January, while another hamstring problem sidelined him for about four weeks.
The winger started the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain but was substituted after 54 minutes.
At the World Cup, he started three of England’s eight matches and scored a hat-trick in their 6-4 victory over France in the third-place play-off.
Saka has scored four goals in 11 appearances across all competitions this season and remains a key figure in Arteta’s side.
Despite losing the winger early against Bayern, Arsenal produced a strong performance and secured a draw through Declan Rice’s late equaliser.
Following Saka’s substitution, Noni Madueke switched from the left wing to the right, allowing Eze to operate on the left and score Arsenal’s opening goal.
Arsenal have invested heavily in their squad over the past two summer transfer windows.
Madueke can play on either wing, while summer signing Christos Tzolis has impressed but is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury.
The Gunners also have 16-year-old Max Dowman as an attacking option after the youngster made an impact for the senior side last season.
Arteta praised his attacking players for their contributions against Bayern, singling out Eze for his overall display and commitment.
“I think Ebs [Eze] had a great game. Not only the ball, but the actions. His overall performance, I think his commitment without the ball as well,” he said.
“And when the other ones come in, I think they really contributed to this. First of all, the energy.
“And then to bring different tools that the team needed in that moment to get something out of the game. So, very pleased again.”
Arsenal will now await further assessment of Saka’s injury to determine how long the England international could be unavailable.
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