Arteta Sounds Alarm Over Saka Injury After Arsenal’s Thrilling Draw With Bayern Munich

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed serious concern over Bukayo Saka’s fitness after the England international suffered a suspected quadriceps injury during the Gunners’ dramatic 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League.

Saka was forced off in the 10th minute of Wednesday’s encounter at the Allianz Arena after going down while attempting a pass, clutching his left thigh. The 25-year-old received attention before being replaced by Eberechi Eze, leaving Arsenal anxiously awaiting further medical assessments.

Speaking after the match, Arteta admitted that the early signs were worrying, although he stopped short of confirming the extent of the injury or how long his influential winger might be sidelined.

“When a player has to come off with sharp pain, it is never good news. We have to wait and see,” the Arsenal manager said, as reported by TNT Sports.

Arteta added that Saka’s condition “doesn’t look good at all,” reinforcing concerns about the potential impact of the setback on Arsenal’s attacking options at a crucial stage of the campaign.

The injury was particularly frustrating for the Gunners because Saka had made a lively start to the contest before his premature departure. His absence forced Arteta to reorganise his attacking formation, with Eze entering the game and making an immediate impression.

The substitute rewarded his manager’s decision in the 25th minute, opening the scoring for Arsenal after receiving a well-timed pass from Martin Ødegaard. His finish gave the visitors the advantage in an encounter that quickly developed into an absorbing contest between two European heavyweights.

Bayern responded through Alphonso Davies, who finished after Harry Kane split the Arsenal defence with an incisive pass. Kane subsequently put the German champions ahead from the penalty spot in the 61st minute after Jurrien Timber was penalised for handball.

Arsenal, however, refused to leave Munich empty-handed. Declan Rice restored parity in the 82nd minute following a neat combination with substitute Viktor Gyökeres, securing a valuable point for the North London side.

While the result demonstrated Arsenal’s resilience, Saka’s injury emerged as the principal concern for Arteta and his technical team. The winger has been central to the club’s attacking ambitions, and any prolonged absence would present a significant challenge to the manager’s plans.

The latest setback also revives concerns about Saka’s recent injury history. He missed seven matches last season because of an Achilles problem and previously underwent hamstring surgery in December 2024, an operation that kept him out of action for more than three months.

Arsenal’s situation could become more complicated because fellow winger Christos Tzolis has also been dealing with a hamstring injury sustained while on international duty, potentially reducing the manager’s available options in wide attacking positions.

For now, Arsenal must await the outcome of further examinations before determining the severity of Saka’s condition and the likely duration of his absence. Arteta’s comments suggest genuine concern, but no definitive recovery timeline has been established.

The Gunners will take encouragement from their ability to recover against Bayern despite losing one of their most important players early in the match. Nevertheless, the immediate priority will be establishing the full extent of Saka’s injury, with supporters hoping the initial fears do not translate into another lengthy spell on the sidelines.