Arsenal's Injury Concerns Ahead of Liverpool Clash
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his concern over Bukayo Saka's recent injury issues, as the winger has sustained two hamstring injuries in the past eight months.
Saka missed three and a half months of last season due to surgery on his right hamstring in December. He is now facing another setback, sidelined for a few weeks with a left leg injury sustained during Arsenal's victory over Leeds on Saturday.
Arteta confirmed that the 23-year-old will not require surgery this time, noting that the injury is "not as bad as the previous one." He stated, "He felt something, so he will be out for a couple of weeks."
Arteta added, "It is obviously a concern, a big one, especially when we talk about a sprinter and a player who often needs that burst of pace and change of rhythm to be as threatening as possible on the pitch."
In addition to Saka's injury, the club announced that German forward Kai Havertz will undergo knee surgery, although his recovery period is not expected to be lengthy. Arteta described the situation as "very unfortunate" for Havertz, but affirmed that surgery was "the right thing to do." He explained, "The doctors advised it, and he was very convinced in the end that it was the quickest and best way to resolve that issue."
Arsenal's injury woes continue, as they currently lack key players including Saka, Havertz, midfielders Martin Ødegaard and Christian Nørgaard, defender Ben White, and forward Gabriel Jesus.
The Gunners, who have finished as runners-up in the Premier League for the past three seasons, are set to face defending champions Liverpool on Sunday at 16:30 BST, with both teams having started the new campaign with consecutive wins.