Arsenal’s 5-0 win over Leeds United came with a heavy price as Bukayo Saka suffered a fresh hamstring injury, dealing a major blow to Mikel Arteta’s plans ahead of a tough run of fixtures. The England international was forced off in the 53rd minute after scoring a goal, and Arteta confirmed it was a new injury to the opposite hamstring than the one he struggled with last December.
Saka’s setback is expected to rule him out for three to four weeks, meaning he could miss crucial matches, including Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Liverpool and potentially upcoming international fixtures. The injury comes at a time when the Gunners are already managing multiple absences, with Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Ben White, and Martin Ødegaard all either sidelined or being assessed for various issues.
Adding to the concerns, Ødegaard was also withdrawn during the Leeds match after suffering a shoulder problem, and he is now undergoing further evaluation. Although early indications suggest that neither injury is as serious as first feared, the timing is far from ideal for Arteta, who now faces the challenge of reshuffling his side amid a growing injury list.
Arteta acknowledged the strain this could place on his squad, stating, “In two weeks, we lost Kai, Bukayo, Martin… It shows how well equipped you have to be in this league.” The manager may now need to rely more heavily on new signing Eberechi Eze, who could be given a bigger role in upcoming matches to fill the creative gap left by Saka and Ødegaard. Other options like Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyökeres may also be considered to bolster the attack.
While the dominant win over Leeds highlighted Arsenal’s quality and depth, these injuries could prove disruptive if key players remain unavailable for long. With the title race heating up and Liverpool on the horizon, Arsenal’s ability to adapt without their main playmakers will be crucial.
The hope among fans is that Saka’s absence is short-term and that players like Ødegaard recover swiftly. In the meantime, the focus turns to Arteta’s squad management and whether his backups can maintain momentum during a pivotal stage of the season. Arsenal’s depth will now be tested like never before.
