Report: Arsenal now set to be without key player against Liverpool as Bukayo Saka injury verdict delivered
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Liverpool will face Arsenal in the final game before the International break.
The Reds certainly have a tricky start to their title defence as they face Newcastle away before welcoming Arsenal to Anfield in just over a week’s time.
The meeting with the Magpies is set to be a fierce one given the Alexander Isak situation, but a clash with their title rivals Arsenal not long after is far from ideal.
Mikel Arteta’s men have made it two from two at the start of the new season and looked impressive against Leeds at the weekend, although their win has now been overshadowed with injury worries.
Both Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka were forced off with injuries, leaving Gunners fans worried about whether they will be fit in time for the Liverpool game next week.
And now, the results are back and it does not make pretty reading for the fans from the red half of North London.
Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Saka has been one of Arsenal’s best players, if not the best, for many seasons now, meaning when he is absent it really shows.
He is also one of the Premier League’s most dangerous wingers and regularly causes Liverpool a whole load of problems, although he will not be able to do so next Sunday.
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As reported by BBC journalist Sami Mokbel, Saka is set to miss up to four weeks with a hamstring injury that he picked up against Leeds on Saturday evening.
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The Englishman was visibly distraught when being brought off at the Emirates, with this likely being as he missed three months of last season with the same injury.
Odegaard was also substituted with a shoulder injury, although he is expected to recover in time to play despite leaving the stadium with his arm in a sling.
Arteta now has some thinking to do ahead of the game, although based on the summer transfer window they have had, they are in a much better position to cope than they would have been before.
Arsenal have recruited well this summer but one of their best signings to date is that of Eberechi Eze, with the former Crystal Palace man snubbing Tottenham to join their North London rivals.
Although he can be seen as a number 10, he can also play on the left, something that he will likely do against Liverpool next weekend.
Noni Madueke prefers to play on the right so he will likely make the switch across the pitch in Saka’s absence, meaning Eze slots in on the left.
Of course, no fan should ever celebrate a rival player being injured but if there were any Liverpool supporters doing that for whatever reason, then be aware of hubris as Arsenal’s depth is more than adequate to compete.