Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has admitted concerns with Bukayo Saka after suffering a “serious” injury in Saturday’s 5-0 victory over Leeds United. Gunners have qualified for Premier League titles when they put their newly declared side on the sword, but there is great concern about Saka’s condition.
Jurrien Timber and Viktor Gyoker each earned braces at Emirates Stadium, adding to the 23-year-old’s sinister first half strike. However, he didn’t last long after a break after tweaking his hamstrings while completing an extended pass to Ricardo Calafiori outside the Leeds penalty area.
Saka immediately frowned and went to the ground. Sky Sports Camera captured him by saying “Ah, God” in frustration to Medic.
After full time, Arteta did not alleviate concerns about England International by claiming that the injury was not looking good.
The Spaniard admitted there is no timescale for Saka’s potential absence yet, but confirmed that he is in other hamstrings than the one he was injured last season.
He also failed to provide Captain Martin Odegard with a positive update.
“Martin (Odegard) looks like a shoulder problem, so we need to scan tomorrow to see how bad it is,” Arteta told Sky Sports.
“And Bukayo had to go off after sprinting, and I think he felt something in his hamstring when he was wrestling with the defender.
“I don’t know (how far away they’ll be). We’ve already lost Kai (Havertz), a big player for us.
“That’s why the team has to be well equipped. It’s going to be a long season, and we’ll need a lot of players to achieve what we want.”
At a post-match press conference, Arteta discussed the issue further, suggesting that Saka didn’t drop out so easily if the injury wasn’t as serious as it appears.
For the latest broken stories and headlines, sign up for the Daily Express Transfer Newsletter.
He added: “Bukayo was running on the ball. He felt something in his hamstring. It wasn’t the same as last season. He felt something as he sprinted. That’s not a good sign.”
“We have to wait to understand how long he’s going outside. I haven’t spoken to the doctor yet, but that’s important for Bukayo to come out.”
Arsenal faces a tough trip to Anfield to face Premier League title rival Liverpool the following weekend, but it could be that multiple big names are missing.
Kai Havertz has not taken action after being injured in his weekend opening victory at Manchester United. Gabriel Jesus, Christian Norgaard and Ben White joined the Germans, missing out on Leeds’ victory.
