Arsenal is bracing for a significant period without star forward Bukayo Saka, as initial medical assessments suggest the 25-year-old could be sidelined for at least six weeks due to a quadriceps injury. The injury, sustained during Wednesday’s 2-2 Champions League draw against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena, has left the Premier League title contenders facing a critical stretch of the season without one of their most influential players.
The severity of the issue became apparent when Saka was forced off the pitch during the European tie. Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta confirmed that the player’s mobility was severely limited following the incident. “When a player has to walk off the pitch, he is struggling to walk without any pain, and is restricted to movement; it is not a good sign,” Arteta said. “Let’s be a little bit patient so we can give a definitive assessment.”
Medical staff have found it difficult to determine the full extent of the damage due to significant fluid accumulation around the affected muscle. A definitive diagnosis is expected following an MRI scan scheduled for Friday afternoon once the swelling has subsided sufficiently for specialists to get a clearer view. Arteta noted that the club is seeking multiple opinions to ensure an accurate assessment of the quadriceps damage.
If the projected six-to-eight-week recovery timeline holds, Saka will miss a pivotal series of fixtures. This includes Saturday’s home match against Everton, where second-placed Arsenal is fighting to bridge a three-point gap with league leaders Manchester City. Beyond domestic duties, the injury also rules Saka out of England’s upcoming UEFA Nations League encounters against Croatia and Spain.
This latest setback continues a frustrating pattern of fitness struggles for the academy graduate. Despite making 49 appearances during Arsenal’s recent title-winning campaign—their first in 22 years—Saka’s season was frequently interrupted by various ailments. He previously underwent surgery for a hamstring injury in December 2024, an ordeal that kept him out of action for 101 days during the 2024-25 campaign.
Earlier in the season, the forward was hampered by an Achilles injury suffered in March, which forced him to miss seven club games and an international break. Other incidents included a hip injury sustained during a warm-up against Leeds in January and a separate hamstring problem that resulted in a four-week absence.
Even during major tournaments, Saka’s workload has required careful management. At the World Cup, he started only three of England’s eight matches, though he made a significant impact in the third-place play-off, scoring a hat-trick in a 6-4 victory over France. While he was fit enough to start the Champions League final loss to Paris St-Germain, he was notably substituted after just 54 minutes. Arsenal’s medical team remains hopeful that the upcoming scans will offer a more optimistic outlook, but the current estimation suggests a challenging two-month recovery period ahead.
