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Arsenal travel to Manchester City on Sunday afternoon for what could be the most pivotal match of the season. With the Premier League title potentially on the line, key winger Bukayo Saka will be unavailable for the fixture.
Mikel Arteta left no doubt about his star winger's availability for the high-stakes showdown at Etihad Stadium. "Bukayo is out for sure," the Spanish manager confirmed when pressed on Saka's status.
Arsenal couldn't have hit their rough patch at a worse moment, dropping their last three domestic matches to bow out of both Cup competitions while allowing Man City to claw their way back into the title picture. Their run to the Champions League semifinals last week, however, should provide a welcome morale boost for Arteta's squad ahead of the daunting trip to the blue half of Manchester.
Nevertheless, given their recent struggles in front of goal, Saka's absence is a significant blow to Arsenal's chances of closing in on their first Premier League title in 22 years.
What Injury Does Bukayo Saka Have?
Saka has been dealing with an Achilles tendon problem that has kept him out since he withdrew from England duty during the March international break.
What was initially believed to be a precautionary measure has dragged on, with Saka's last appearance coming in the 2–0 Carabao Cup final loss to City. Arsenal have managed just one win from their four matches since his absence began.
"It's something he was carrying a while," Arteta disclosed about Saka's persistent Achilles complaint ahead of the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinal tie against Sporting CP.
Fitness problems have plagued Saka over the last two campaigns, and the dynamic England international has already missed more than 30 matches through injury since the beginning of 2025.
When Will Bukayo Saka Return From Injury?
No firm return date has been set for Saka, though Arteta acknowledged midweek that there has been positive progress, with hopes that the 24-year-old will be back in "days not weeks."
"He's just starting to do some stuff, so let's see that progression, how quickly we can go through it, and then wait, but at the moment it's not about that," Arteta said when quizzed on whether Saka had resumed training.
Given the serious nature of Achilles injuries, Arteta acknowledged that Arsenal are taking a cautious approach to Saka's rehabilitation, particularly with the winger expected to play a key role for England at the 2026 World Cup.
Saka's natural cover Noni Madueke is also a fitness concern for the City clash, though Arteta remains optimistic about his availability.
Should Madueke fail to recover in time, 16-year-old talent Max Dowman could be handed a starting berth on the right wing in Arsenal's biggest game of the season, with the Spanish manager expressing confidence that the youngster will "be ready."
Either way, Arsenal will be hoping Arteta's optimistic assessment of Saka's recovery proves accurate, with the winger's return crucial to the Gunners' ambitions in both the Premier League and the Champions League.