BREAKING: Bukayo Saka injury comeback date announced, as club confirms when the Arsenal key player will be ready.
Arsenal might be without Bukayo Saka for several weeks after the winger sustained an injury while representing England.
Saka looked to incur a hamstring injury during England’s UEFA Nations League encounter against Greece, only one month after Martin Ødegaard suffered an ankle injury on international service. The 23-year-old pulled up immediately before Vangelis Pavlidis scored the game’s first goal and had to leave the field in the 52nd minute.
After the game, England interim manager Lee Carsley stated, “He’s being examined. You can tell in the buildup to the first goal that he felt something in his leg.”
Saka received assistance by the training personnel on the field before hobbling to the sidelines. With seven crucial matches for Arsenal in the next four weeks, including Premier League meetings against Liverpool and Chelsea, losing the team’s finest playmaker would be a massive blow to the Gunners’ championship hopes.
Here’s the latest on Saka’s injury.
When Will Bukayo Saka Return from Injury?
Arsenal and England have not released a formal diagnosis or timeline for Saka’s injury. The winger will undergo more tests and scans before the nature of his problem and potential layoff is known.
If the problem is a major hamstring injury, Saka might be sidelined for six weeks. Liverpool’s Alisson suffered a hamstring injury against Crystal Palace on October 5, and the goalkeeper will not return until mid-November.
Saka might miss Premier League games against Bournemouth, Liverpool, Newcastle United, and Chelsea. He would also be sidelined for the Champions League matches against Shakhtar Donetsk and Inter Milan. In addition to the demanding schedule, there is an EFL Cup encounter against Preston.
If Saka escapes the worst-case scenario, the winger may only miss Arsenal’s games against Bournemouth and Shakhtar Donetsk. Of course, the objective is to get the England international back for the Liverpool game on October 27 if the injury is mild.
One thing is certain: Saka will miss England’s next UEFA Nations League encounter against Finland on October 13.
Potential Bukayo Saka replacements for Arsenal
Replacing Saka at Arsenal is nearly hard. The 23-year-old is presently leading the Premier League in assists, with seven in as many games. He is one of Europe’s top right wingers, let alone in the Premier League. Mikel Arteta can shift a number of players to the front line, but none are obvious substitutes for the England international.
When Saka missed time for Arsenal last season, Arteta replaced him with Gabriel Martinelli. Although the 23-year-old prefers the left wing, he has played on the right for both club and country. Martinelli has two goals and two assists for the Gunners in seven Premier League outings and understands how to play with Kai Havertz.
Raheem Sterling is an additional alternative for Arteta. Last season, the 29-year-old appeared 11 times in all competitions for Chelsea on the right wing. Sterling provides Arteta with a dynamic winger who has played against the Premier League’s premier clubs. Sterling, meanwhile, is failed to score in the English Premier League since joining Arsenal. He did have a goal and an assist against Bolton in the EFL Cup.
When Saka missed Arsenal’s opening game against Manchester City last season, Gabriel Jesus was given the start on the right wing, but the Brazilian has failed to impress in his limited minutes this season. Starting the striker against opponents such as Liverpool and Chelsea is doubtful.
Arsenal’s future, with or without Saka, will be lot clearer once the club provides an official report on his injury.
