Arsenal might have to face a significant setback as star winger Bukayo Saka is expected to miss their crucial Premier League clash against Liverpool on Sunday, as well as their mid-week Champions League fixture against Shakhtar Donetsk.
The news, initially reported by respected journalist Charles Watts, revealed that the 23-year-old did not take part in the latest training session with Mikel Arteta’s squad ahead of the European tie.
Additional reports suggest that Saka’s return to action might be delayed until the following week.
Saka, who has become a key player for both Arsenal and the England national team, is currently nursing a hamstring injury sustained during England’s unexpected Nations League defeat to Greece last week.
His absence has sparked concern among Arsenal fans, especially with the team facing a challenging period in both the Premier League and the Champions League.
Watts indicated that Sunday’s match against Liverpool could come “too soon” for Saka, as Arsenal is committed to taking a careful approach with his recovery.
The club is prioritizing his long-term fitness rather than rushing him back into the lineup prematurely.
Initially, there had been hope that Saka might recover in time for Arsenal’s previous Premier League match against Bournemouth.
However, Arteta decided to exclude him from the squad for that game, and the Gunners ended up suffering a surprising 2-0 defeat at the Vitality Stadium.
The result underscored just how important Saka is to Arsenal’s overall performance, with his absence keenly felt by the team.
Saka’s potential unavailability couldn’t come at a worse time for Arsenal, as they are in the middle of a critical phase in both domestic and European competitions.
Liverpool, one of the strongest contenders for the Premier League title this season, will pose a significant challenge, and Saka’s absence would be a considerable blow to Arsenal’s attacking potential.
His pace, creativity, and goal-scoring ability have made him indispensable, and losing him for such an important match could hurt the Gunners’ chances of keeping up with the top teams in the league.
Additionally, Arsenal’s Champions League campaign is in full swing, and missing Saka for their mid-week game against Shakhtar Donetsk could complicate their European aspirations.
As one of Arsenal’s most impactful players, his absence in these two crucial fixtures raises concerns about how the team will manage without him.
Both fans and teammates are hopeful for Saka’s speedy recovery, but in the meantime, Arsenal will need to rely on their squad depth to get through these challenging matches.
At this point, there is no confirmed timeline for Saka’s return to action, leaving Arsenal supporters anxiously waiting for updates.
Arteta is expected to provide further information on Saka’s condition in the days leading up to the Liverpool game, but for now, the Gunners are preparing for the likelihood of being without their star player for the immediate future.
As Arsenal approaches these pivotal fixtures, the team will have to cope with the added pressure of performing without one of their brightest talents.
All eyes will be on how Arteta manages his squad and whether Arsenal can maintain their form in both the Premier League and the Champions League without Saka leading their attack.
Stay tuned for further updates on Saka’s recovery as the Gunners prepare for a tough week ahead.
