Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed significant concern regarding the fitness of Bukayo Saka after the winger was forced off early in a 2-2 Champions League draw against Bayern Munich. The 25-year-old was substituted after just 10 minutes at the Allianz Arena, appearing to suffer a sharp pain while attempting a pass with no opposing players nearby. Reflecting on the incident, Arteta told TNT Sports that the situation does not look good at all, noting that while the team must wait for further assessment, any player exiting the pitch with sharp pain is cause for genuine worry. Who went on to score the opening goal, the 25-year-old winger went down in the 10th minute at Allianz Arena – attempting to play a pass with nobody around him – and had to be replaced by Eberechi Eze. But there is a reason why he is regarded as one of the best players in this Arsenal team and is seen as being important for them, it’s not necessarily something that means the team will struggle heavily. Even before Saka’s withdrawal, the Gunners played on the front foot and enjoyed more possession than their German opponents, arsenal ‘s style of play has been criticised this season but. I think Ebs [Eze] had a great game. And when the other ones come in, I think they really contributed to this. And then to bring different tools that the team needed in that moment to get something out of the game.
Saka has endured a difficult period regarding his physical condition.
His recent career has been marred by a series of fitness setbacks, including a significant Achilles injury in March 2024 that caused him to miss seven games and the subsequent international break.
Despite that hurdle, he recovered to play a pivotal role in Arsenal’s first Premier League title victory in 22 years.
His availability has remained intermittent; he featured in the Champions League final loss to Paris St-Germain but was withdrawn after 54 minutes, and his involvement during the World Cup was similarly restricted, appearing in only three of England’s eight matches, highlighted by a hat-trick in a 6-4 victory over France.
The forward’s medical history includes surgery for a hamstring issue in December 2024, which ruled him out for 101 days, alongside other minor hip and hamstring complaints that disrupted his 2024-25 campaign. Despite these interruptions, he remains a central figure for the club. Pundit Nedum Onuoha noted that while Saka’s importance to the team is undeniable, the club has built enough depth to navigate his absence. During the Bayern match, Noni Madueke shifted to the right flank after Saka’s departure, while substitute Eberechi Eze successfully opened the scoring. Whose win percentage is notably more impressive with him in the team, but he remains vital to the Gunners. So now the concern will be how long he is out for, he was lying on the floor with his hand up and he knew he was in a bit of trouble.
Arteta praised the collective response of his squad following the early substitution. He specifically commended Eze for his performance, highlighting both his contributions on the ball and his commitment to defensive work without it. The Arsenal boss also lauded the energy brought by the bench, which provided the team with necessary tactical tools to secure a result against Bayern Munich, ultimately bolstered by Declan Rice’s late equalizer.
Despite the setback of losing Saka, who has recorded four goals in 11 appearances this season, Arsenal’s tactical approach remains aggressive. Despite a stop-start season – as well as the Achilles issue, he pulled out of the warm-up against Leeds with a hip injury in January and a hamstring problem kept him out for about four weeks, he made 49 appearances as Arsenal won the title last term.
The club’s substantial investment over recent transfer windows has provided several alternative attacking outlets. Options include the versatile Madueke and young prospect Max Dowman, a 16-year-old who demonstrated his senior potential with a goal in the Premier League last season. While recent arrival Christos Tzolis is currently sidelined with his own hamstring injury, the team’s depth will be tested as they adjust to life without their star winger in the coming fixtures.
