Arsenal have been dealt a double injury blow ahead of their trip to Anfield, with Bukayo Saka expected to miss Sunday’s Premier League showdown against Liverpool and captain Martin Ødegaard emerging as a major doubt.
The 23-year-old Saka limped off during Arsenal’s emphatic 5-0 win over Leeds United on Saturday, clutching his hamstring.
Early medical assessments suggest he could be sidelined for up to four weeks, ruling him out of not only the Liverpool fixture but also England’s World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia next month.
For manager Mikel Arteta, the timing is particularly frustrating given that Saka missed three months last season with a similar injury.
While initial scans have brought relief that the issue is not long-term, Arsenal are unlikely to take risks with their star forward, especially with a demanding run of fixtures ahead in both the Premier League and Champions League.
Ødegaard, meanwhile, was forced off in the first half against Leeds after landing awkwardly on his shoulder.
The 26-year-old was seen leaving Emirates Stadium with his arm in a sling, sparking concerns over his availability.
Although Arsenal have not ruled him out of the Liverpool match, his fitness will be closely monitored throughout the week.
“The situation is not as serious as first feared, but we have to wait and see how both players respond to treatment,” a club insider told BBC Sport.
Squad Depth to Be Tested
Despite the setbacks, Arsenal are better placed to cope this season following an ambitious summer transfer window.
The arrivals of Viktor Gyökeres, Noni Madueke, and Eberechi Eze have significantly strengthened Arteta’s attacking options, while youngsters Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman continue to push for first-team minutes.
In addition, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard are expected to take on greater responsibility in the wide areas if Saka is unavailable.
Arsenal’s fixtures in that time…
International Impact
Saka’s absence is also a blow for England manager Thomas Tuchel, who is expected to pencil the winger in for next month’s qualifiers, Tuchel now is expected to call up replacements but will hope Saka can regain fitness as soon as possible.
For Arsenal, however, the more pressing concern is Sunday’s clash at Anfield, with Liverpool in strong form and defending their Premier League crown, the Gunners will need every ounce of their squad depth to cope without two of their most influential players.