Arsenal suffered a significant blow during their 2-2 Champions League draw against Bayern Munich as Bukayo Saka was forced to leave the pitch just 10 minutes into the match. The 25-year-old winger collapsed at the Allianz Arena while attempting a pass with no opposing players nearby, signaling immediate distress. Manager Mikel Arteta later confirmed the severity of the situation, stating the quadriceps injury does not look promising. But there is a reason why he is regarded as one of the best players in this Arsenal team and is seen as being important for them, it’s not necessarily something that means the team will struggle heavily.
Reflecting on the incident, Arteta told TNT Sports that the sudden, sharp pain felt by the player is concerning. While the medical team must wait for further assessment, the manager acknowledged that losing a key contributor in such a manner is never welcome news. Saka, who has recorded four goals in 11 appearances this season, was replaced by Eberechi Eze, who went on to register the opening goal of the contest. Losing Saka, who has scored four goals in 11 appearances in all competitions, will be tough to deal with. I think Ebs [Eze] had a great game.
Saka’s physical condition has been a recurring theme over recent campaigns.
The winger previously navigated an Achilles injury in March 2025 that sidelined him for seven matches, and he faced a lengthy 101-day absence following hamstring surgery in December 2024.
Despite these fitness hurdles—including a separate hip issue and a hamstring problem during a stop-start 2024-25 season—Saka played 49 times to help Arsenal secure their first Premier League title in 22 years. His usage was also carefully monitored during the World Cup, where he started just three of England’s eight matches. But returned to help them lift the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years, he missed the March international break and seven games for the Gunners. And only started three of England’s eight games at the World Cup – scoring a hat-trick in the 6-4 third-place win over France, saka started the Champions League final defeat by Paris St-Germain but was substituted after 54 minutes.
Pundit Nedum Onuoha highlighted the tactical reality facing the team, noting that while Saka’s absence is a blow to the side’s star power, Arsenal has built a squad with enough depth to remain competitive. Onuoha pointed out that the team’s performance did not collapse following the withdrawal, as the Gunners maintained a front-foot approach and effectively used their substitutes. At this moment in time for Arsenal, it is not going to be an issue – they will miss the star power that he has, they still have plenty of other wide players who can step up and do the job while they wait for him to come back, in terms of options. And then to bring different tools that the team needed in that moment to get something out of the game.
Arteta expressed satisfaction with the resilience shown by his replacements. He specifically praised Eberechi Eze for his overall performance and commitment, both in possession and when working without the ball. Noni Madueke also adapted well by switching to the right flank to cover the void left by Saka.
Looking ahead, Arsenal possesses several avenues to manage the winger’s recovery. Besides the immediate impact from Eze and Madueke, the club holds depth options including the 16-year-old talent Max Dowman, who gained senior-level experience with a Premier League goal last season. Christos Tzolis remains another alternative on the wings, though he is currently recovering from his own hamstring injury.
Despite the frustration regarding Saka’s fitness, the squad remains focused on maintaining their momentum. Arsenal’s ability to secure a draw against Bayern, capped by a late equalizer from Declan Rice, demonstrated their depth and resolve. The focus now shifts to medical evaluations to determine exactly how long the forward will be unavailable for selection. So now the concern will be how long he is out for, he was lying on the floor with his hand up and he knew he was in a bit of trouble.
