Arsenal are breathing a tentative sigh of relief after initial fears over injuries to Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard proved to be less severe than originally expected.
Both players limped out of Saturday’s emphatic 5-0 victory over Leeds United, raising alarm bells for Mikel Arteta. Odegaard exited after landing awkwardly on his shoulder, while Saka suffered a suspected hamstring issue.
Saka set for short spell on sidelines but Odegaard remains hopeful
According to Sami Mokbel of BBC Sport, Bukayo Saka is now expected to be out for three to four weeks.
That unfortunately rules him out of the Liverpool clash and the upcoming international break for England, though there’s a slim chance he could return for the Nottingham Forest game at the Emirates on 13th September.
Thankfully for Saka, the hamstring injury sustained against Leeds United was not the same hamstring that he tore last season. The 23-year old missed 19 games last season and was forced to have surgery after suffering a hamstring tear.
Bukayo Saka is expected to miss up to four weeks for Arsenal and England after sustaining a hamstring injury, according to @SamiMokbel_BBC.
— Physio Scout | Football Injury Analysis (@physioscout) August 25, 2025
This timeline is consistent with a grade 1 hamstring strain (2-4 weeks) and eases concerns of a more serious issue.
Our initial… pic.twitter.com/d2l9vfpG7e
Odegaard, however, has not yet been officially ruled out of Sunday’s trip to Anfield and could feature in a decisive early clash against last season's Champions.
Arsenal injuries already mounting
Arsenal know only too well how damaging injuries to key players can be. Last season, Odegaard endured a spell on the sidelines with an ankle problem that disrupted both his rhythm and the team’s momentum. Saka, for his part, spent three months out after hamstring surgery on his right leg; this latest setback concerns the other leg.
The Gunners’ luck with injuries has already been tested this season. Kai Havertz sustained a knee problem in the opening-day win at Manchester United and he is expected to miss at least a couple of months. Meanwhile, Ben White and Christian Norgaard sat out of the Leeds game, and Gabriel Jesus continues his recovery from the ACL surgery he underwent in January.
Arsenal's squad depth has drastically improved this season and unlike other seasons, the early injuries have not caused major concern. Mikel Arteta now has the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze to rely on in the absence of some his attackers, as well as the likes of youngsters Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman. But, if Arsenal are to challenge on all fronts this season, they can't afford any more injuries to key players, otherwise they will soon begin to face the same challenges as last season.