Bukayo Saka was withdrawn in the second half of Arsenal's win against Leeds and will miss the trip to Liverpool. The latest hamstring problem is not as severe as the previous one and does not require surgery, with a possible return next month. Saka previously missed three-and-a-half months after right hamstring surgery in December, returned in April and played 13 times before developing a left hamstring issue early this season. The recurrence is a significant concern given his reliance on sprint bursts; the club intends to investigate the cause and strengthen him. Arsenal could be missing up to seven players for the Liverpool match, with Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz also out and Martin Ødegaard, Christian Nørgaard, Leandro Trossard and Ben White doubtful; Havertz underwent a minor knee procedure while Ødegaard may still be considered despite a shoulder fall.
"He [Saka] does not need surgery," Arteta said. "It's not as bad as the previous one. He felt something, so he will be out for a couple of weeks."
"But it is obviously a concern, a big one, especially when we talk about a sprinter and a player that gets into that zone very often in a football match, who needs that burst, that change of rhythm of pace to be as threatening as possible."
"But we will learn again as to why it happened and make him stronger. Unfortunately injuries are part of a career. He hasn't had that many to be fair with the amount of games that he has played at his age but it is something that we want to eradicate."
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