Bukayo Saka not have to undergo surgery on his hamstring injury while Martin Odegaard remains in contention to feature in Sunday’s Premier League game against Liverpool.
Arsenal continued their 100% start to the new season with a 5-0 win over Leeds United last weekend, but the gloss was taken off to an extent following the injuries sustained by two key players.
Already without Ben White, summer signing Christian Norgaard and striker Kai Havertz, Mikel Arteta’s squad is already being tested to the limit ahead of this weekend’s acid test at Anfield.
‘Bukayo is doing better, but he will be out for a few weeks,’ confirmed the Arsenal boss when asked about his star winger’s condition. ‘No surgery.’
‘It’s not as bad as the previous one, very unfortunate. It was an action that required full power from him, had to change direction and he felt something.’
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While Saka will miss the trip to Merseyside, there remains a measure of hope that Arsenal’s captain will be able to play a part.
‘He hasn’t trained yet and, if he does, it will be tomorrow,’ Arteta, who also confirmed Leandro Trossard is a doubt, added. ‘He is doing everything he can to make himself available.’
Which Arsenal games will Bukayo Saka miss?
Liverpool (A) – Sunday, August 31
Nottingham Forest (H) – Saturday, September 13
TBC Champions League game – September 16-18
Manchester City (H) – Sunday, September 21
Regardless of Odegaard’s condition, new signing Eberechi Eze looks certain to start, either in place of the injured skipper or on the left wing.
‘We have options in that position, so let’s see and I’m not going to give you any clues obviously,’ said Arteta when asked if the former Crystal Palace star would feature.
‘Very special energy, special aura around him and really willing. I heard a lot about him. He’s gathered a lot of information on that pitch.
‘Yes, very impressed with him.’
Arsenal may yet, meanwhile, make a further addition to their squad before Monday’s transfer deadline.
The Gunners are making progress in their bid to sign Piero Hincapie from Bayer Leverkusen with Jakub Kiwior appearing destined to leave the Emirates and join Porto.
‘You know the answer,’ Arteta said when asked about the chances of Arsenal completing a deal for the Ecuador international defender.
‘I cannot talk about players that are not part of the squad.’