Bukayo Saka left the pitch early in Arsenal’s 5–0 win over Leeds United on August 24 after pulling up with a hamstring issue during a sprint. The timing couldn’t have been worse, but fortunately, the situation isn’t as serious as it initially appeared. Mikel Arteta confirmed it’s the opposite hamstring from the one that ruled Saka out for months last season, and while concerns remain, the early outlook is more optimistic than feared
Scans and assessments suggest a three-to-four-week recovery timeline, meaning Saka is set to miss major fixtures including the trip to Anfield, England’s upcoming internationals, and likely the home match against Nottingham Forest on September 13 if everything goes to plan, he could return toward the end of September—possibly for the Champions League opener or the high-stakes clash with Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on September 21
Arsenal fans can take heart that early reports describe the injury as not as bad as initially feared, offering reassurance that the absence may not mirror the lengthy layoff from December to March last season
Other Key Injuries and Squad Strategy
Martin Ødegaard (Shoulder)
Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard also left the Leeds match early with a shoulder injury. Initial scans haven’t confirmed the full extent, but the shoulder issue doesn’t appear to be long-term. His availability for the Liverpool match on August 31 remains uncertain, though he might return shortly after the international break.
Kai Havertz (Knee)
Kai Havertz suffered a knee injury during the opening match of the season. He’s already ruled out of both Arsenal’s next few fixtures and Germany’s upcoming qualifiers. Surgery remains a possibility, indicating a lengthy absence ahead.
Ben White & Christian Nørgaard
Right-back Ben White wasn’t risked for the Leeds game due to a minor knock sustained against Manchester United. The coaching staff expect him to be fit for the Liverpool trip. Meanwhile, summer signing Christian Nørgaard remains sidelined but is likely to return in early September—possibly lining up against Liverpool or Nottingham Forest
How Arsenal Are Managing the Absence of Bukayo Saka and Others
Arsenal’s injury roster this early includes Saka, Ødegaard, Havertz, White, and Nørgaard—a challenging situation. Yet, Arteta’s summer squad overhaul delivers significant cover:
- Eberechi Eze, fresh from Crystal Palace, is expected to slot in—as a creator or winger—possibly making his debut in the Anfield fixture.
- Noni Madueke, another attacking addition, can step into the right wing role.
- Young talents like Max Dowman (15) and Ethan Nwaneri have already made their mark—Dowman drawing a penalty on his debut and earning glowing recognition.
- Viktor Gyökeres has hit the ground running, scoring twice against Leeds and adding depth up front.
- With defensive depth in question, Arsenal are reportedly exploring a move for Piero Hincapié, though any deal depends on an outgoing sale such as Jakub Kiwior
Player-by-Player Summary
| Player | Injury Type | Expected Return | Key Matches Missed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bukayo Saka | Hamstring | 3–4 weeks (return late Sept) | Liverpool, World Cup qualifiers, likely vs Nottingham Forest, possibly vs Man City |
| Martin Ødegaard | Shoulder | Early Sept if scans clear | Doubt for Liverpool, potential return post-break |
| Kai Havertz | Knee | Possibly months (surgery?) | Liverpool, qualifiers, upcoming PL matches |
| Ben White | Minor knock | Possibly Liverpool | Leeds rested, possibly fit vs Liverpool |
| Christian Nørgaard | Minor issue | Return early Sept | Leeds, likely vs Liverpool or Forest |
Arsenal’s injury challenge is compounded at a critical stage with Saka, Ødegaard, Havertz, White, and Nørgaard all sidelined or doubtful. Still, the good news that Saka’s injury is not as serious as feared, combined with the club’s proactive transfer business and the emergence of youth talents, should soften the blow.
Arteta’s squad has the flexibility to absorb these setbacks, whether that means unleashing Eze, Madueke, or the younger players, or reinforcing further in the transfer market. All eyes now turn to whether Saka can defy the odds and return in time to light up Emirates Stadium against Manchester City.