Bukayo Saka is “unlikely” to be available for Arsenal‘s crucial Premier League match against Liverpool as he continues to recover from the hamstring injury sustained during England’s international fixture against Greece.
The injury forced Saka to withdraw prematurely from international duty on 10 October.
Interim England manager Lee Carsley initially addressed Saka’s situation, noting that during the build-up to England’s first goal, Saka appeared to feel something in his leg.
Carsley provided a further update on 12 October, stating that Saka was “close” to being fit for the match against Finland but it would have been unwise to take any risks.
He then described the winger as a “positive person” who was expected to recover promptly.
Despite initial optimism, Saka did not feature in Arsenal’s subsequent match against Bournemouth. Mikel Arteta, addressing media queries, acknowledged that Saka had made progress, but lacked the right “feeling” during the final training sessions leading up to the game.
Arteta opted not to risk the player, emphasising the importance of long-term fitness and highlighting the availability of other squad options to compensate.
Arteta’s caution continued into Arsenal’s Champions League fixture against Shakhtar Donetsk. Asked about Saka’s potential involvement, Arteta hinted at a possible return, suggesting that the winger’s availability would depend on how he fared in a subsequent training session.
However, Saka ultimately did not train and missed out on the squad for the Shakhtar game. Following Arsenal’s narrow 1-0 win at the Emirates, Arteta provided another update, stating “He wasn’t able to train yet so that’s unlikely,” when asked if Saka would be back for Liverpool.
Hamstring injuries are often classified into three grades, ranging from mild (Grade 1) to complete rupture (Grade 3). While specific details about the severity of Saka’s condition have not been disclosed, the cautious approach taken by both England and Arsenal suggests that the injury is likely either Grade 1 or Grade 2.
Grade 1 injuries typically involve mild discomfort and could see a player return within one to two weeks, whereas Grade 2 strains require more extensive rehabilitation, often keeping a player sidelined for up to four to six weeks.
Arsenal’s other injury concerns also complicate preparations ahead of the Liverpool clash. Riccardo Calafiori is now a doubt after sustaining a knee injury against Shakhtar Donetsk, with assessments ongoing to determine the extent of the damage.
Takehiro Tomiyasu, who suffered an unspecified new injury during the October international break, is also a concern, with no clear timeline for his return.
Jurrien Timber‘s muscular injury, picked up against Paris Saint-Germain, adds to the list of uncertainties. Although Arteta initially suggested Timber might be ready for the Shakhtar game, the defender also missed training, casting doubt on his immediate return.
Meanwhile, Martin Odegaard‘s ankle ligament damage, sustained while playing for Norway, has kept the influential captain out since September, and a return is not expected until November.
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