Arsenal Receive Crucial Update on Saka and Odegaard Comeback Timeline
Arsenal's Bukayo Saka has escaped a major hamstring setback while Martin Ødegaard may return to action as early as this weekend, new reports suggest.
The influential Arsenal pair, who combined for 42 goals scored or assisted last campaign, both left the field injured during Saturday's commanding 5–0 victory over Leeds United. Ødegaard departed first after an awkward fall on his shoulder, with Saka subsequently heading to the dressing room holding his hamstring.
Mikel Arteta was deprived of his key duo for a total of 38 matches last term, which certainly played a role in Arsenal's reduced offensive output as they couldn't match Liverpool in what became a lopsided title contest.
Following worries that Saka's problem was "serious," Sunday reports indicated that preliminary examinations revealed the injury wasn't as bad as initially thought. Fresh information from BBC Sport on Monday suggested Saka faces up to four weeks on the sidelines, keeping the pacey winger out of Sunday's Premier League encounter with Liverpool and England's September international fixtures.
Should Saka remain out for the full four weeks, he would also miss Arsenal's home league game against Nottingham Forest on Sep. 13 and the team's opening Champions League fixture the following week. Saka's tentative comeback match could be the significant showdown with Manchester City at the Emirates on Sep. 21.
Ødegaard departed Saturday's rout with his arm supported in a sling but hasn't been definitively ruled out for this weekend's important journey to Anfield. Should Arsenal's captain miss the away game against the team he supported as a youngster in Norway, expectations are he'll be ready for the first league match following the international window.
In contrast to last season, when Saka and Ødegaard's injuries cast a shadow over numerous games, Arteta now has greater attacking depth available. Noni Madueke provides a natural substitute for Saka on the right flank while Ethan Nwaneri capably stepped in for his captain on Saturday.
Arsenal might also consider their newest summer addition Eberechi Eze, who can operate effectively on the wing or in an attacking midfield position.