“Arteta commented on the injuries to Odegaard and Saka before the match against Liverpool, noting that it’s ‘never a good sign.'”
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal team achieved a convincing 5-0 victory over Leeds on Saturday, but it wasn’t an entirely perfect night for the Gunners’ manager.
Before the match at the Emirates Stadium, fans celebrated the signing of Eberechi Eze, and then watched their team dominate Daniel Farke’s side, maintaining their perfect start to the season.
However, injuries to key players Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka marred the occasion, especially with a crucial match against Liverpool looming.
Arteta Provides Injury Updates
After the game, Arteta offered cautious updates on the injured players, stating that both would undergo scans to determine the extent of their injuries. He remarked, “That’s the negatives of the day. Martin felt something in his shoulder when he landed. We don’t know yet; we’ll have to scan him tomorrow.”
Regarding Saka, he added, “While carrying the ball and wrestling with a defender, he felt something in his hamstring. I think it’s a different issue from his previous injury.”
Arteta mentioned the challenge of dealing with injuries: “We’ve lost Kai [Havertz], Martin, and Bukayo in just two weeks, which shows how well-equipped you need to be in this league.”
Concerns About Saka and Odegaard
Arteta expressed concern about Saka’s condition, noting, “He felt something while sprinting. That’s never a good sign. We’ll have to wait until tomorrow to talk to the doctors and understand what he’s done. He knows the feeling of injuries well, so let’s see.”
Implications for the Liverpool Match
While Arteta didn’t specify how long either player might be out, an independent injury analyst suggested potential timelines. Odegaard’s shoulder injury could lead to a one- to two-week absence if it’s a low-grade sprain, but might take two to four weeks if it’s more severe. Saka’s hamstring issue is more concerning, with a minimum recovery of two to four weeks expected, potentially extending to eight to twelve weeks for a Grade 3 injury.
As it stands, Saka is certain to miss the Liverpool match, alongside Havertz, while Odegaard’s status remains uncertain.
Liverpool is also dealing with its own injury issues, with Jeremie Frimpong sidelined for the next two matches and Conor Bradley just returning to training. This could lead to Dominik Szoboszlai being used at right-back if Joe Gomez isn’t fit.
While it’s unfortunate to see top players sidelined, Arsenal will still provide a significant challenge to Liverpool at Anfield next Sunday, even without Saka, Havertz, and Odegaard.
