Bukayo Saka injury update: what we know about his thigh problem and the games he could miss
Bukayo Saka limped off after ten minutes of Arsenal's 2-2 draw at Bayern Munich with a thigh problem. Mikel Arteta says it 'doesn't look good at all'. Here is what we know, and the fixtures in doubt.
Arsenal are waiting on the results of tests on Bukayo Saka after their most important player limped off after ten minutes of Wednesday's 2-2 Champions League draw at Bayern Munich.
What happened
Saka pulled up early in the match at the Allianz Arena and appeared to point to his left thigh. It was not an impact injury — no opponent was involved — which is often a sign of a muscle problem. Eberechi Eze replaced him and went on to score Arsenal's opener, before Declan Rice's late goal earned a 2-2 draw.
What Arteta said
Mikel Arteta did not hide his concern after the game:
"A player who has to come off with a really sharp pain is never good news but we have to wait and see."
"It doesn't look good at all, but we have to wait and see."
He added that the medical staff were "a bit concerned". Arsenal had not given a diagnosis or a timescale at the time of writing.
The games he could miss
| Date | Fixture | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| Sat 24 October | Arsenal v Everton | Premier League |
| Sun 1 November | Liverpool v Arsenal | Premier League |
| 3–4 November | Matchday 4 | Champions League |
A thigh strain can mean anything from a week to more than a month out, depending on how bad it is. Saka will be a major doubt for Saturday's game against Everton at the Emirates, at the very least.
Arsenal's other injuries
- Piero Hincapié has an ankle problem. Arteta said: "If he's able to train the next few days he can be available for Everton."
- Christos Tzolis is out with a hamstring injury, with a return expected around the start of November.
How Arsenal cope without Saka
Arsenal have depth on the right that they did not have in previous seasons. Noni Madueke, whose deflected shot won the game at Nottingham Forest last weekend, is the natural replacement, and Eberechi Eze showed in Munich that he can make an impact from that side.
But Saka remains the team's most creative player, and the timing is bad: Arsenal are three points behind Manchester City and face Liverpool at Anfield next week. See the Premier League table and Arsenal's fixtures and results.
For FPL managers
Saka's chance of playing flag was 75% before the full assessment, and Gameweek 8's deadline is Friday 23 October at 6:30pm UK time. With his status unclear, many managers will move him on or bench him; see our FPL 2026-27 rules guide if you are thinking about a chip.
This article will be updated when Arsenal confirm the extent of the injury.
FAQ
What injury does Bukayo Saka have? A thigh problem, picked up in the 10th minute at Bayern Munich on 21 October. Arsenal have not yet confirmed the severity.
Will Saka play against Everton? He is a major doubt for the game on Saturday 24 October.
What did Arteta say about Saka's injury? That it "doesn't look good at all, but we have to wait and see."
