Arteta voices concern over Saka quadriceps injury after Bayern draw

Mikel Arteta has expressed concern over the quadriceps injury that forced Bukayo Saka out of Arsenal’s 2-2 Champions League draw at Bayern Munich on Wednesday. According to BBC Sport, the Arsenal manager said the early signs were worrying but stressed that the club still had to wait to establish the extent of the problem. No recovery timetable was given in his post-match update.

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Saka was replaced in the 10th minute after pulling up while playing a pass at the Allianz Arena. The Standard reported that he had moved away from Alphonso Davies before passing out wide, then went down holding his left leg and signalled towards the bench. He spoke briefly with Arteta on the touchline before heading down the tunnel, with Eberechi Eze coming on in his place.

The enforced change reshaped Arsenal’s attack. Noni Madueke moved from the left wing to the right, while Eze operated on the left. Eze subsequently scored the opening goal, and Declan Rice’s late equaliser secured a draw. BBC Sport reported that Arteta praised Eze’s overall contribution, including his work without possession, and the energy supplied by the players brought into the game.

The injury comes with another wide attacker already unavailable. The Standard reported that Christos Tzolis has been absent since the international break with a hamstring problem. If Saka also needs a spell out, Arteta’s fit wing options would be Eze, Madueke and Max Dowman. That remains a conditional scenario: the manager’s comments did not establish how long Saka would be absent or which matches he would miss.

Arsenal have five fixtures before the November international break, according to Sky Sports. They host Everton on October 24, visit Fleetwood in the Carabao Cup on October 27 and travel to Liverpool on November 1. A Champions League trip to Slavia Prague follows on November 4, before a home league match against Hull on November 7.

Saka has scored four goals in 11 appearances across all competitions this season, BBC Sport reported. The 25-year-old also had his playing time managed after an Achilles injury last season. His latest setback leaves Arsenal awaiting clarity on his fitness after taking a point in Munich.