Bukayo Saka is facing up to a month on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury, with Arsenal confirming the winger will miss several matches – including Sunday's crunch clash with Liverpool.
The 23-year-old limped off during the Gunners’ emphatic 5-0 win over Leeds United at the Emirates, clutching his left hamstring after a sprinting duel with a defender.
Manager Mikel Arteta admitted after the game that he initially feared the problem could be “significant.”
However, subsequent scans brought more positive news, showing the damage was not as severe as first thought.
Bukayo Saka is facing up to a month on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury, with Arsenal confirming the winger will miss several matches – including Sunday's crunch clash with Liverpool
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Saka’s setback comes as another blow to Arsenal’s attacking options, especially given the club are already without Kai Havertz.
The German international sustained a knee injury during the season opener against Manchester United and remains out for an unspecified period.
Captain Martin Odegaard also provided a scare against Leeds, departing in the first half after landing awkwardly on his shoulder.
The Norwegian midfielder was later spotted with his arm in a sling as he left the stadium. While the full extent of the damage is still unclear, early assessments suggest the issue may not be long-term, and he has not yet been ruled out of facing Liverpool.
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Saka has already endured hamstring issues in recent campaigns.
Last season, he spent more than three months out after tearing his right hamstring in December, before returning in April.
Odegaard, too, has had his struggles with injuries, missing 12 matches last term due to an ankle problem.
Arteta acknowledged the frustration of losing key players but stressed the importance of depth in his squad.
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Bukayo Saka went down clutching his hamstring during Arsenal's battering of Leeds on Saturday
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Speaking after the victory over Leeds, he said: “Martin looks like a shoulder issue so we will have to scan tomorrow and understand how bad it is.
"And Bukayo had to come off after sprinting and when he was wrestling with the defender he felt something in his hamstring I think.
"It is the other side, but it is still not good.
“I don’t know [how long they will be out]. We already lost Kai which is a big player for us and now Bukayo and Martin.
"That is why the squad has to be well-equipped. It is going to be a long season and we are going to need a lot of players in order to achieve what we want.”
The Gunners do have attacking reinforcements available to step in.
Summer signing Eberechi Eze, who arrived in a £67.5million deal from Crystal Palace, is among those poised for a more prominent role.
Alongside him, Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard are capable of filling the gaps in wide areas.
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Arsenal are also waiting to discover the extent of Martin Odegaard's injury as Sunday's crunch clash with Leeds looms
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Even 15-year-old prodigy Max Dowman, already making waves in the academy setup, is seen as an option should Arteta require fresh energy.
For now, Arsenal await further medical assessments this week before making final calls on both Saka and Odegaard.
With a crucial trip to Anfield looming, Arteta will be desperate to avoid going into the clash without two of his most influential players.