Arsenal made it back-to-back Premier League wins at the start of the 2025/26 season as Mikel Arteta’s side cruised past Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium.
First-half goals from Jurrien Timber and Bukayo Saka got the ball rolling on an an eventual 5-0 victory in North London and Viktor Gyokeres opened his Arsenal account with a double after the break.
Alongside the pressure release of Gyokeres getting off the mark, there was also a huge moment for 15-year-old Max Dowman, who made his Premier League debut in the closing stages.
However, huge positives were balanced against two key negatives for Arteta as captain Martin Odegaard and Saka were forced off injured either side of the half-time whistle.
Odegaard suffered a shoulder injury, after being sandwiched by two Leeds players, and Saka went off on 53 minutes after dropping to the turf with a hamstring issue.
Arteta admitted his concern over both players at full-time with a trip to defending champions Liverpool on the horizon on August 31.
The Gunners are confident Odegaard will be fit in time for the Anfield clash, but the latest update on Saka rules him out, with an extended absence for the England international.
Bukayo Saka injury latest, return date, games missed
As per BBC Sport, Saka will miss the next four weeks of action with a hamstring strain, including England’s two September qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Andorra and Serbia.
Crucially for Arsenal, he will miss the Liverpool game and the home tie with Nottingham Forest on September 13, after the international break.
As most of Saka’s recovery takes place during the FIFA window, the 23-year-old is expected back to face Manchester City at home on September 21.
The news is an overall relief for Arsenal fans fearing the worst, after Saka missed three months of action with a hamstring problem last season, but his absence against Liverpool is a big one for Arteta.
Who replace Bukayo Saka vs. Liverpool?
Arteta has a deeper pool of attacking options this season after bringing in Gyokeres, Noni Madueeke and Eberechi Eze but replacing Saka requires careful planning.
Leandro Trossard came on for Saka against Leeds, with Madueke switching from left to right, and the former Chelsea man appears to be the favoured option to start on the right against Arne Slot’s team.
If Odegaard is passed fit, he will partner Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi in midfield, with Gyokeres leading the attack and two spaces to fill.
Gabriel Martinelli could start on the left with Madueke on the right, as Trossard and Ethan Nwaneri are not viewed as starters by Arteta.
The real curveball could be a debut for Eze off the left, if Arteta feels he is ready, but Madueke looks to be the one to take Saka’s right-sided slot.
Arsenal news and related links
