The games Bukayo Saka will miss as Arsenal learn extent of injury

Bukayo Saka has been ruled out of this weekend’s huge Premier League clash between Arsenal and Liverpool after suffering a hamstring injury.

And while it is said his injury is not as bad as first feared, the England winger could also miss the game against Manchester City at the end of September.

Saka scored the second goal of Arsenal’s 5-0 thrashing of Leeds United last Saturday to help the Gunners go top of the Premier League table.

But the mood at the Emirates was dampened as both Saka and captain Martin Odegaard hobbled off injured, the latter badly hurting his shoulder in the first-half.

While unable to give a proper update on the pair, Mikel Arteta said Saka’s injury was ‘significant’, with fans fearing the worst after the talisman spent four months on the sidelines last season due to a tear on his other hamstring.

However, early scans indicate that neither player will be out for the long-term, with BBC Sport now reporting that Saka will miss up to four weeks.

If this is the case, the 23-year-old will not return to action until after the first international break of the season.

That rules him out of Sunday’s trip to Anfield, which some have billed as an early title-decider, as well as next month’s home game against Nottingham Forest and Arsenal’s first Champions League match of the season.

The injury is also a blow for England, as Saka will miss the Three Lions’ World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia.

Should his recovery go well, the forward might be fit in time to feature when Man City visit the Emirates on September 21, another game that should prove pivotal in the title race.

But it seems more likely that he will make his return after that, with the Gunners set to play their first Carabao Cup clash of the campaign in the week commencing September 22.

The Gunners then travel to Newcastle United for a Premier League game on September 28.

As for Odegaard, the attacking midfielder has not yet been ruled out of the Liverpool clash, with a further update expected soon.

Who will replace Bukayo Saka in Arsenal’s team?

The loss of Saka and Odegaard is a devastating blow for Arsenal but thankfully for Arteta he has plenty of options to replace them.

Ethan Nwaneri and Leandro Trossard were brought on for the pair during the Leeds clash, while 15-year-old Max Dowman impressed on the right-flank when he came on for his debut.

Gabriel Martinelli could also return to the front-line, while Arteta now has Eberechi Eze at his disposal after he completed his record £67.5million transfer from Crystal Palace.

Arsenal legend Ian Wright believes summer signing Noni Madueke is the man to replace Saka on the right-wing, after starting on the opposite flank against Leeds.

‘Madueke can play this side and this is why you bring in a Madueke,’ the former striker told Premier League Productions.

‘I’m not saying he’s going to play like Saka, but fill that gap. He plays on that side, that’s where he likes to play… fill that gap until Saka comes back because he’s got a chance now.’

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