Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka will miss Saturday’s Premier League fixture against Everton as the club awaits further medical assessments to determine the severity of his muscle injury.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed on Friday that the England international would undergo another magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan after sustaining the injury during the Gunners’ 2-2 Champions League draw against Bayern Munich.
Saka was forced off after just 10 minutes at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday after sustaining the injury while attempting a pass. Arteta described the development as “really bad news” following the match.
Providing an update ahead of the Everton fixture, the Arsenal manager said additional scans and consultations with specialists were necessary before the club could establish the full extent of the injury.
Arteta explained that fluid around the affected area had made it difficult to assess the severity of the problem, adding that the results of further examinations would provide a clearer picture of the winger’s condition.
The manager said Saka’s difficulty walking after sustaining the injury and his restricted movement were concerning signs, although he urged caution before drawing conclusions about his recovery period.
Asked whether recurring injuries were beginning to affect Saka’s playing style, Arteta said the issue involved different types of injuries and was not limited to the England international.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future. It’s been muscles, it’s been tendons as well, which is something else. That’s not just with Bukayo, with many other players as well,” he said.
Saka’s absence is a setback for Arsenal as they prepare for the Everton encounter, with the club continuing to assess his condition before determining the next steps in his recovery.
The winger’s return date remains uncertain pending the outcome of the additional medical examinations.
