Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka has been officially ruled out of Saturday’s Premier League fixture against Everton after sustaining a thigh injury during midweek Champions League action, manager Mikel Arteta confirmed.
Thigh Injury Forces Saka Out of Everton Match
Saka suffered the injury just 10 minutes into Arsenal’s 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League. The 25-year-old England international attempted to play through the discomfort before finally signaling to the bench and leaving the pitch.
Arteta stated that the initial medical indicators regarding the forward’s physical condition are a major cause for concern. Saka will undergo an MRI scan on Friday afternoon to determine the precise severity of the muscular damage.
“This afternoon he will undergo a scan because he had a lot of fluid in the area, so it was difficult to determine the extent of the injury. We will know tomorrow,” Arteta told a press conference on Friday. “We need a few more tests and the opinion of specialists. When a player struggles to walk off the pitch and has limited mobility, it is not a good sign. So, once again, let’s have a little bit of patience to be able to give a definitive assessment and communicate it to you.”
Fixture Congestion Draws Criticism From Arteta
Arteta used his pre-match media session to urge football governing bodies to offer better protection and load management for players.
Mikel Arteta expresses concern as Arsenal suffer major Bukayo Saka injury blow Arsenal star winger Bukayo Saka has been officially ruled out of Saturday’s Premier League clash against Everton after sustaining a thigh injury, according to GOAL. The 25-year-old England… pic.twitter.com/bR4r1pxbJs
“We would greatly appreciate it if they could help us manage the load that we are putting these players under,” Arteta said. “We have to play three times in less than six days, the matches are very demanding, and we fight until the last minute.”
Without one of their most influential attackers, Arsenal must quickly adjust their tactical setup for the weekend fixture at Emirates Stadium. The immediate objective for Arteta’s side is securing all three points against Everton to maintain momentum in the domestic campaign.
Upcoming Domestic Fixtures Test Arsenal Squad Depth
The relentless schedule provides no respite for the North London club. Following the Premier League encounter, Arsenal travel on Tuesday to face Fleetwood Town, a fourth-tier side, in the fourth round of the League Cup.
Club medical staff will evaluate the results of Saka’s MRI scan over the weekend to establish a definitive recovery timeline and determine whether the winger faces an extended period on the sidelines.
Mikel Arteta admits Bukayo Saka injury ahead of Arsenal vs Everton 'doesn't look good' | @CBeesleyEchohttps://t.co/6WUtkTbMkT
