Bukayo Saka will be out for weeks rather than days, Mikel Arteta has confirmed, with the Arsenal winger not expected back on the pitch until after the international break — although Ezri Konsa has been passed fit for Saturday's visit of Hull City.
Saka, 25, picked up a quadriceps injury during last month's Champions League draw at Bayern Munich, when he was forced off inside the opening minutes. He has now missed five games, and Arteta's Friday press conference removed any hope of a quick return.
"We're talking about, obviously, weeks," Arteta told reporters, in quotes reported by Reuters. "Let's see. After the international break, he's going to start hitting the pitch and start to have more activity, see how he feels. But unfortunately he's going to be out for a while."
The Arsenal manager refused to put a date on the comeback, even with Manchester City, the north London derby and Real Madrid all looming in the weeks ahead. "I don't want to put these guys into too much pressure," he said of his fitness staff. "They are doing their best to get him fit. Bukayo's desperate to get back with the team, but it's still quite early."
The early prognosis, as reported by football.london, was a minimum of six weeks out and possibly as many as ten depending on how the injury heals, with a build-up of fluid in the area delaying follow-up scans. On that timeline a comeback before December always looked unlikely — and Arteta's update has now confirmed it.
Konsa and Saliba give Arteta a defensive boost
The news was better at the back. Konsa, who came off in the midweek win at Slavia Praha, has been passed fit. "He is fine," Arteta said, in quotes reported by Sports Mole. "He was feeling much better today. We took him out for a precaution, but yesterday and today he's feeling good."
William Saliba is also back in the ranks, giving Arteta a near-full defensive unit for Hull's visit — the one area of the pitch where the Gunners suddenly look well stocked.
So what: Madueke's moment, and England move on without him
Saka's absence has already reshaped two teams. For Arsenal, Noni Madueke has stepped up in his place, scoring three goals in his last eight appearances and keeping the right flank productive during the 2-1 win at Slavia in midweek. With teenager Max Dowman suspended for the Hull and Newcastle games, Madueke is effectively the only senior right-wing option available — that run now has to stretch through Hull and into the season's defining stretch.
For England, Saka's injury explains his absence from the England squad named by Thomas Tuchel on Friday for the Nations League games against Croatia and Spain — a squad that also left out Cole Palmer and Phil Foden. England can cope for two games; the bigger question is whether Saka returns rusty or ready for the run that decides Arsenal's season.
Beyond the Final Whistle: This is the injury Arsenal feared most, arriving at the worst possible time. Saka is not a player you replace — you survive without him. If Madueke keeps producing and the defence keeps holding, Arteta can wait for his star to heal properly. Rush him back for City or the derby, though, and a few weeks could become a season.
Can Arsenal cope without Saka through this run of fixtures? Let us know in the comments.
