Arteta Says Saka Injury ‘Does Not Look Good’ — SkimNews
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- Bukayo Saka sustained a quadriceps injury in the 10th minute of Arsenal’s 2-2 Champions League draw at Bayern Munich and was replaced by Eberechi Eze.
- Mikel Arteta said the injury “does not look good at all,” that Arsenal were concerned and that Saka would need to be assessed before his availability was known.
- Bukayo Saka underwent hamstring surgery after a December 2024 injury, missed 101 days and then made 49 appearances in Arsenal’s title-winning season despite a March Achilles problem and other setbacks.
- Arsenal held more possession than Bayern and continued to attack despite Saka’s early withdrawal, with Declan Rice later equalising for the 2-2 draw.
- Arsenal moved Noni Madueke from the left wing to the right after Saka exited, while Eberechi Eze scored from the left; Max Dowman, 16, is another attacking option, though Christos Tzolis is currently out with a hamstring injury.
- Nedum Onuoha assessed that Saka’s withdrawal did not necessarily imply heavy strain for Arsenal, praising Madueke and Eze’s immediate wide contributions while flagging the loss of star power and uncertainty over his absence.
Why it matters: Saka has four goals in 11 appearances, and Arsenal’s win percentage is notably stronger with him in the team, so his absence costs both output and star power. Eze and Madueke provide immediate wide cover, but his 49 appearances in a title-winning season underline the experience and production being replaced.
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