Arsenal have been dealt a significant blow ahead of their showdown with Liverpool on Sunday, with Bukayo Saka ruled out for up to four weeks after sustaining a hamstring injury in the 5-0 demolition of Leeds United at the Emirates. Club captain Martin Odegaard is also a major doubt after suffering a shoulder injury during the same match, leaving Mikel Arteta with big selection questions as the Gunners prepare for one of the season’s toughest away trips.
Saka, 23, was withdrawn early in the second half after scoring Arsenal’s second goal on Saturday. Initial scans suggest the winger could miss around a month of action, sidelining him for key fixtures against Liverpool, Newcastle and Aston Villa, as well as England’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia next month.
The injury is especially concerning given Saka’s history; the England international missed three months of last season with a similar hamstring issue. However, Arsenal sources remain cautiously optimistic that this setback is not as severe and that he will return to full fitness before the busy festive period.
Odegaard, meanwhile, was forced off midway through the first half after falling awkwardly in a duel with Leeds midfielder Archie Gray. The 26-year-old left the stadium with his arm in a sling, though the club is hopeful that the problem is not serious. Medical staff will continue to monitor the Norway playmaker over the next few days before making a final decision on his availability for Anfield.
Despite the double setback, Arsenal are in a stronger position to absorb injuries than in recent years. The summer arrivals of Viktor Gyökeres from Sporting Lisbon, Noni Madueke from Chelsea and Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace have added depth and versatility to Arteta’s attacking options. Alongside Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, teenage prodigy Ethan Nwaneri and academy graduate Max Dowman, the Gunners now boast a forward line capable of adapting to the absence of key figures.
Arteta will be forced into reshuffling his side, but the Spaniard remains confident that Arsenal’s improved squad depth can keep momentum intact. “We never want to lose players of Bukayo and Martin’s quality,” he said after the victory over Leeds. “But this is why we strengthened the squad. It’s a chance for others to step up, and I believe in the group we have.”
Sunday’s clash with Liverpool presents an early test of Arsenal’s resilience. Jürgen Klopp’s side, reigning Premier League champions, remain unbeaten this season and boast one of the division’s strongest home records. Last season’s corresponding fixture saw Liverpool edge a 3-2 thriller at Anfield, and the absence of Saka and potentially Odegaard will make the task even more daunting.
Yet there is reason for optimism among the Arsenal faithful. Eze, who has impressed since his summer switch, could be handed a central role in Odegaard’s absence, while Madueke offers pace and directness on the flanks. Gyökeres, a proven goalscorer in Portugal, is pushing for his first Premier League start and could provide a physical presence against Liverpool’s backline.
England manager Gareth Southgate will also be keeping a close eye on developments. With qualifiers looming, Saka’s absence leaves a void in England’s attack, though Southgate will be reluctant to risk the forward given his importance ahead of next summer’s World Cup in the United States.
For Arsenal, the immediate focus remains on navigating the coming weeks without their two most influential attackers. While there is relief that neither injury appears to be long-term, the timing is far from ideal. With matches against top-four rivals on the horizon, Arteta’s men will need to showcase both their depth and their character to stay in touch with the league leaders.
As the Gunners prepare to travel to Merseyside, all eyes will be on how Arteta reshapes his side to meet the challenge. Whether Arsenal can cope without Saka and Odegaard could prove a defining subplot in their title ambitions this season.
