Mikel Arteta admitted Bukayo Saka’s recurring hamstring injuries pose a “big concern” after Arsenal ruled the winger out for at least two weeks.
Saka limped off during the second half of Arsenal’s victory over Leeds last weekend and will miss Sunday’s clash with Premier League champions Liverpool at Anfield.
The 23-year-old could return next month, yet Arteta fears his star forward’s repeated setbacks. Saka lost three-and-a-half months of last season following surgery on his right hamstring in December. He returned in April, featured 13 times, and then picked up the latest problem—this time in his left leg—during just his second match of the current campaign.
“He doesn’t need surgery. It’s not as bad as the previous one. He felt something, so he will be out for a couple of weeks,” Arteta told reporters on Friday.
“But it is obviously a big concern, especially for a sprinter who relies on sudden bursts of pace and rhythm changes to be as dangerous as possible. We will study why it happened and work to make him stronger. Injuries are part of a career. To be fair, he hasn’t had many for the number of games he’s played at his age, but it’s something we want to eradicate.”
Arteta could be without as many as seven players for the trip to Liverpool. Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz are unavailable, while Martin Odegaard, Christian Norgaard, Leandro Trossard and Ben White remain doubtful.
Havertz underwent minor knee surgery this week, while Odegaard may feature after landing awkwardly on his shoulder against Leeds.
“It’s very unfortunate and very sad for him,” Arteta said of Havertz, who also missed three months last season with a hamstring injury. “He recovered tremendously well from the last one, never had an injury before, and suddenly this happens.
“We lose another big player for many weeks, but it was the right decision. The doctors advised it, and he was convinced it was the quickest and best solution.”
Arsenal finished runners-up to Liverpool last season, 10 points behind Arne Slot’s side.
Asked if Liverpool remain favourites, Arteta replied: “The favourite is always the one who won the previous year. Somebody has to come and take that crown, and that is what we will try to do. The aim is to be better than them.”