Bukayo Saka to Miss Crucial Games for Arsenal as Injury Return Date Is Set

Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka will miss some crucial match as he recovers from an injury which ruled him out of his side’s Premier League clash with Leeds United on Saturday.

Saka was included in Arsenal’s starting XI for Saturday’s trip to Leeds but had to drop out of the squad after suffering an injury in the warm-up. However, he was not missed on the pitch as the Gunners ran out 4-0 winners thanks to goals from Martin Zubimendi, Madueke, Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Jesus.

The England international is not expected to feature in Arsenal’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg with Chelsea on Tuesday night but his club are optimistic that he won’t be out of action for too long.

Speaking after Saturday’s win, manager Arteta said: “We don’t know yet. He had a little niggle in the warm-up.”

Bukayo Saka celebrates scoring a goal for Arsenal. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Before Tuesday’s semi-final second leg, he added: “We have to wait. Today he was better but we have to wait and see how he responds, and then make the decision.

“It doesn’t look like something too serious. Whether he’s going to be available for tomorrow or the weekend, we’ll see.”

According to The Sun, Saka is aiming to be fit again in time for the north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday 22 February.

If he were to return to matchday availability in time for that game, the 24-year-old would still end up missing Tuesday’s cup clash with Chelsea, Premier League fixtures with Sunderland and Brentford as well as an FA Cup tie with Wigan Athletic.

Saka has not been free from injury this season. He missed four matches earlier this season after being hit with a hamstring problem.

He missed a defeat to Liverpool, international duty with England and wins against Nottingham Forest and Athletic Club in the Champions League.

In Saka’s absence, Arteta will depend on Madueke who stepped up on Saturday. The former Chelsea star grabbed an assist when he crossed for Zubimendi to open the scoring before netting directly from a corner.

The 23-year-old should have done enough to retain his starting berth on Tuesday against his former side, with a place in a Wembley final at stake.