London, Oct 24: Arsenal are bracing for a lengthy absence for Bukayo Saka, with the England international feared to be out for at least six weeks after sustaining a quadriceps injury during the Champions League draw against Bayern Munich.
The 25-year-old winger was forced off during Wednesday’s 2-2 draw at the Allianz Arena, raising concerns over his availability for a crucial period of the season. Initial assessments have suggested that Saka could remain sidelined for up to eight weeks, although the full extent of the injury will become clearer after further medical examinations.
Saka is scheduled to undergo an MRI scan to determine the severity of the problem. Fluid around the affected muscle has complicated the initial diagnosis, prompting Arsenal’s medical team to seek further assessments and specialist opinions.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta admitted that the early signs were concerning, but urged caution before making a definitive assessment.
“When a player has to walk off the pitch, he is struggling to walk without any pain, and is restricted to movement; it is not a good sign,” Arteta said.
The Spaniard added that additional scans would be required because the fluid around the injured area had made it difficult to establish the extent of the damage.
Saka will miss Saturday’s Premier League fixture against Everton, with second-placed Arsenal looking to reduce their three-point deficit to leaders Manchester City.
A prolonged absence would also rule him out of several important matches for the Gunners and England’s upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against Croatia and Spain.
The injury represents another setback for Saka, who endured a disrupted campaign last season despite playing a key role in Arsenal’s Premier League title triumph. He made 49 appearances for the club, managing recurring fitness problems involving his Achilles, hip and hamstring.
An Achilles injury sustained in March forced him to miss seven Arsenal matches and the subsequent international break. His workload was also carefully managed during England’s World Cup campaign.
Saka previously underwent surgery for a hamstring injury in December 2024, which kept him out for 101 days during the 2024-25 season. He also withdrew from a match against Leeds United in January after suffering a hip problem during the warm-up.
The latest setback raises further questions about his fitness and long-term availability, particularly given his importance to Arteta’s attacking plans. Saka has scored four goals in 11 appearances this season and had been adapting his positioning to become a more regular goalscorer.
Arsenal’s options on the wings could also be stretched.
The club failed to secure high-profile forward targets Vinicius Junior and Julian Alvarez during the summer, while Greece international Christos Tzolis, another attacking recruit, is currently injured.
Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze remain available as alternatives, while 16-year-old Max Dowman could also be considered despite his limited first-team experience.
With a demanding schedule ahead, Arsenal will hope further examinations provide a clearer picture of Saka’s recovery timeline and whether their leading attacking threat can return sooner than initially feared. (Agencies)