Bukayo Saka is the face of Arsenal. In the last few seasons, he has developed into one of the best wingers in world football. He is arguably the most consistent performer in the league, providing offensive returns in six of the seven matches he has played. He is equally important for the national team, winning the England Men’s Player of The Year award two times in the last three years. During the recent game against Greece where England lost 2-1, Saka came off in the forty-ninth minute hobbling. Lee Carsley after the game said that the winger will be assessed, and we will see what happens to his hamstring. The Gunners face Liverpool, Newcastle United, and Chelsea in the coming weeks. If Bukayo Saka isn’t available for the next few weeks, I expect Arsenal to drop points.
Two goals and seven assists in the league show that in the absence of Martin Odegaard, he has stepped up. Arsenal have already started the season with numerous injuries, even though they have managed to stay unbeaten, it will be challenging to continue this run if Saka gets injured in the long term. If Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard remain unavailable, then Arsenal won’t be the same offensively. Luckily for Arteta, a few attackers are finding form at the right time.
Bukayo Saka to join long list of casualties at Arsenal?
The 23-year-old English winger was subbed off after he felt something in his leg. Bukayo Saka came off limping and was replaced by Chelsea attacker Noni Madueke. England went on to lose the game against Greece 2-1, thanks to a brace by Vangelis Pavlidis. Jude Bellingham scored the equalizer in the eighty-seventh minute before Pavlidis scored his second goal in injury time. A setback for England, but a bigger setback for Arsenal fans is about their Starboy, Bukayo Saka.
Lee Carsley mentioned that further tests would reveal more about his concern but I’m sure that Mikel Arteta is sitting somewhere and praying that the winger is available for selection against Liverpool, if not against Bournemouth. I have seen Saka limp off the pitch and come back three days later to play like nothing happened. This time though, it could be different. Even though Saka was seen walking on the pitch, that does not mean he is fit to play football.
If he comes back, then great. Arsenal will continue their dominance, and I can see them easily getting seven points out of the next possible nine, even if they win the next three it won’t shock anyone. But if Saka is unavailable for the Liverpool game, I am sure that Arsenal will find it difficult to score goals from open play.
What will Arteta do?
The first thing that he will do is pray. Pray that Bukayo Saka comes back to training in the shape that he left. If that does not happen, then fans will pray that they don’t drop points. Bukayo Saka is irreplaceable in the eleven, his expected goal involvement per ninety is amongst the best in the league, not just at Arsenal. To add to the misery, it looks like Kai Havertz is also injured. He hasn’t traveled with the German team and an update on his injury is expected soon.
There are things to be happy about too. Gabriel Martinelli has found his long-lost form and has been phenomenal in the absence of Odegaard. Leandro Trossard is scoring goals for club and country; he looks a lot more confident this season. These two will have to deliver if Saka, Odegaard and Havertz don’t come back quickly. Raheem Sterling was signed for days like this; he can play on the right like Saka but let’s be honest he isn’t the same Raheem Sterling anymore.
Asking Arteta to continue this run without their three best players in attack is a huge ask. The Spaniard has his ways to get the desired result, but this will be his biggest challenge. The way he has transformed Arsenal over the last few years deserves praise but without the stars, he will feel the pressure.
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