Mikel Arteta confirmed that Bukayo Saka likely sustained up a ‘significant’ injury during Arsenal’s 5-0 victory over Leeds.
The Gunners cruised to a comprehensive win over Daniel Farke’s newly promoted Leeds side to maintain their 100 per cent record and go top of the Premier League.
But a pair of concerning injuries to two of Arteta’s most trusted squad members put a slight dampener on an otherwise dream afternoon for the hosts, leaving Arsenal fans sweating ahead of their trip to champions Liverpool.
Having managed the full 90 minutes at Manchester United previously, Odegaard appeared to be struggling with a shoulder injury in between Jurrien Timber and Bukayo Saka’s first-half goals and it was immediately apparent he could not continue.
Ethan Nwaneri came on in place of the Arsenal skipper and remained on the field for the remainder of the one-sided contest as Viktor Gyokeres and Timber both completed braces to cap off a convincing all-round performance..
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But there was more bad news for Arsenal in the 53rd minute as Saka, too, was forced from the field with a suspected hamstring injury – and there were audible groans around the Emirates as the forward hobbled off to be replaced by Leandro Trossard.
It came as some consolation to supporters that Saka appeared to have injured his left hamstring. After all, It was the forward’s right that required surgery and kept him sidelined for around three months last term.
‘We have so many games, anything can happen and it happened to two of our most important players,’ Arteta told beIN SPORTS shortly after the final whistle.
‘We already lost Kai so, yeah, we’re going to need everyone at their best and we’re going to need a lot of luck as well to make sure we don’t lose many others.’
Asked if he could elaborate on the injuries to Odegaard and Saka, Arteta replied: ‘I don’t know, obviously I haven’t spoken to the doctor yet.
‘But for Bukayo to come off… for sure, it looks like something that is significant.’
More to follow.
