Bukayo Saka loukkaantui viikoiksi – Arsenal ilman tähteään Liverpoolia vastaan ja Englanti vaikeuksissa MM karsinnoissa
Arsenal fans will have to hold their breath again: Bukayo Saka, one of the club’s brightest stars and a cornerstone for England, is heading back to the treatment table.
The 23-year-old picked up a hamstring injury in the weekend clash against Leeds and is now expected to miss three to four weeks, according to the BBC. That rules him out of Arsenal’s high-stakes trip to Anfield on Sunday – and England’s September World Cup qualifiers. In short, it’s a headache neither Mikel Arteta nor Gareth Southgate wanted.
The injury that stopped him mid-celebration
What makes this sting a little more? Saka actually scored before having to limp off early in the second half against Leeds. At first, it wasn’t clear how serious the knock was. But anyone who’s followed football long enough knows hamstring issues are rarely simple. They’re the bane of any player who thrives on sprints, sharp cuts, and sudden bursts – pretty much Saka’s whole game.
And unfortunately, this is familiar territory. Just last season, a similar problem sidelined him for almost three months. Fans could only watch and hope back then – and they’ll be doing the same now.
Why Arsenal will feel it
Let’s be real: losing Saka is a big blow. He’s not just a winger who chips in with goals and assists – though he does both reliably. He’s also tireless defensively, the kind of player who gives as much tracking back as he does sprinting forward.
This season, he’s looked sharp from the start. Fast feet, fearless runs, and that knack for turning a game when Arsenal needs it most. Now, Arteta will have to juggle his options:
- Gabriel Martinelli
- Leandro Trossard
- Reiss Nelson
All are capable, but none bring quite the same balance of directness, control, and sheer drive. And let’s not forget the stage: Anfield. Against Liverpool. A stadium where Arsenal have stumbled time and again in recent years. Saka’s influence there would have been priceless. Instead, Arsenal may have to lean heavily on captain Martin Ødegaard and the unpredictable energy of Martinelli to make something happen.
England without Saka
The timing is no kinder to the national team. England enter a key stretch of World Cup qualifying in September, and Gareth Southgate will have to reshuffle his deck. Luckily, he’s got plenty of cards to play – Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Jack Grealish – but Saka has increasingly been a mainstay, valued just as much for his work rate and consistency as for his spark.
His absence could force England to play differently on the wing. And for a team that has often leaned on his reliable outlet runs, that’s a bigger change than it might look on paper.
A small silver lining
One bright spot for Arsenal? Their other injury scare seems less grim. Ødegaard’s shoulder knock, while worrying at first, doesn’t look too severe. He may even be fit enough to feature at Anfield. If so, his creativity will be needed more than ever while Saka sits out.
The bigger picture
Trips to Anfield are always brutal, and history tells us Arsenal rarely come away smiling. Without Saka, that mountain just got steeper. Still, Arsenal’s squad has more depth now than in years past, and Anfield has seen its share of surprises. Maybe, just maybe, Arteta’s men can turn adversity into one of those unlikely stories fans remember for years.
Key Takeaways
- Bukayo Saka out for 3–4 weeks with a hamstring injury
- He’ll miss Arsenal’s clash against Liverpool and England’s September World Cup qualifiers
- Arsenal will rely more on Ødegaard, Martinelli, Trossard, and others
- Saka has suffered a similar injury before, keeping him out for months last season
- Ødegaard’s injury less serious – he may face Liverpool
Possible Headlines
- Arsenal rocked: Bukayo Saka out for weeks, sidelined for Liverpool showdown
- England suffer blow as Saka ruled out of September qualifiers
- Hamstring heartbreak: Saka sidelined again
So, what do you think? Can Arsenal find a way to shine without Saka at Anfield, or will Liverpool make full use of the gap he leaves?
