Bukayo Saka’s first goal in the 2025/26 Premier League was tempered by an issue the England international suffered during Arsenal’s 5-0 home win over Leeds United on August 23.
Forward Saka was replaced by Leandro Trossard after 53 minutes, with manager Mikel Arteta voicing concerns over the potential diagnosis for his key creative player.
Arteta also said Martin Odegaard had suffered a shoulder problem after the captain was replaced by Ethan Nwaneri in the 38th minute.
Bukayo Saka injury
Saka, who missed three months of last season with a hamstring injury, will reportedly be out for four weeks.
The reaction at the club to that timescale is one of “particular relief”, according to BBC Sport, who pointed out that Arsenal look better placed to temporarily replace Saka because they have signed Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze.
Trossard, Brazil international Gabriel Martinelli, Nwaneri and impressive 15-year-old newcomer Max Dowman are also among Arteta’s attacking options.
When will Saka be back from injury?
Should he be out for four weeks, Saka could be back in contention for Liverpool’s home game against Manchester City on September 21 (16:30 BST / 11:30 ET / 08:30 PT).
The Reds’ final fixture in September is a trip to Newcastle at the same time a week later.
Which games will Saka miss? Arsenal, England
Saka is out of the trip to Liverpool on August 31 (16:30 BST / 11:30 ET / 08:30 PT) and is likely to miss the home game against Nottingham Forest on September 13 (12:30 BST / 07:30 ET / 04:30 PT).
The Gunners finished second to the Reds by 10 points in 2024/25.
England miss Frimpong for their World Cup qualifiers at home to Andorra at Villa Park on September 6 (17:00 BST / 12:00 ET / 09:00 PT) and away to Serbia on September 9 (19:45 BST / 14:45 ET / 11:45 PT).
Saka injury history
Saka missed two matches in October 2024 with a hamstring problem but made a spectacular start to the season before sitting out 19 matches.
Arteta said he thought Saka had injured the hamstring in his other leg against Leeds. “While he was carrying the ball – wrestling with the defender – he felt something,” said the Spaniard, who is without forward Kai Havertz because of a knee injury.
“We’ve [had] two weeks [of the season] and we’ve already lost Kai, Martin and Bukayo, so it tells you how well-equipped you have to be in this league to manage and to maintain the level that we want.”
Martin Odegaard injury
Norway international Odegaard’s problem is reportedly shorter term after the 26-year-old landed painfully.
Odegaard is only said to be a doubt for the game against Liverpool, who drew both of their games with Arsenal 2-2 in 2024/25.
Norway host Finland in a friendly in Oslo on September 4 (17:00 BST / 12:00 ET / 09:00 PT) and face Moldova in the same setting five days later in World Cup qualifying (19:45 BST / 14:45 ET / 11:45 PT).
