Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka could be sidelined until December after sustaining a calf injury during Wednesday night's Champions League draw at Bayern Munich. The club is awaiting further scan results to determine the exact length of his absence, but officials are already resigned to losing the England international for several weeks.
Injury Details and Immediate Impact
Saka is undergoing additional scans after initial imaging showed significant fluid in the area, making it difficult to assess the full extent of the damage. Manager Mikel Arteta confirmed the player is struggling to walk without pain and has restricted movement, describing these as "not good signs."
The 25-year-old will definitely miss Arsenal's trip to Anfield on November 1 and is also set to miss England's Nations League fixtures next month, including the group decider in Spain on November 15. This marks Saka's 11th injury since September 2024, a worrying trend for the club's title defence and Champions League campaign.
Arteta's Concerns Over Fixture Congestion
Arteta downplayed fears of burnout but acknowledged that Saka has become a "different" player, potentially losing some of his robustness. He pointed to the increasing demands on players, noting the tight scheduling: "We have to play on Sunday afternoon, then we have to go away, we have to play on Wednesday evening, then we have to play on Saturday. So you go less than 66, 67 hours between games."
The manager also appealed for support across the football community, stating, "On top of everything that we are putting, every hour is important. If they can support all the demands that we are putting to the players in that sense, that would be as well really appreciated from everybody."
Upcoming Fixtures and Recovery Race
Saka is now in a race to be fit for Arsenal's clash with Real Madrid at the Emirates on December 9. He will also miss the north London derby at Tottenham a week after Manchester City visit the Emirates on November 29. The club will provide further updates once the latest scan results are analysed.
