Arsenal bombshell: ‘I’m told we’ll be lucky if Bukayo Saka plays again this season’
Arsenal are facing the devastating prospect of Bukayo Saka playing a minimal number of games in the remainder of the season as he continues his recovery from a severe thigh injury.
The 23-year-old limped off during the first half of a 5-1 Premier League victory against Crystal Palace in December, and underwent surgery just days after the blow.
Without the England international in the side, Mikel Arteta’s team have kept up an impressive run of form and are unbeaten in nine league games, but their casualty list has reached crisis point.
Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus have been ruled out for the season, while Gabriel Martinelli has also been sidelined, and any hope of an impending return for Saka has been cooled.
That is according to Football Insider’s Arsenal expert Connor Humm, as he revealed that reports of a late-March return are somewhat far-fetched as things stand.
Instead, a potential comeback ahead of the final three games of the season against Liverpool, Newcastle and Southampton is increasingly being seen as a “best-case-scenario”.
Bukayo Saka’s ‘best-case-scenario’ return date emerges at Arsenal
Arsenal’s concerns have been compounded by their lack of activity in the January transfer window after they failed to complete a single incoming deal to strengthen the squad.
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider on 20 February that Arteta has been left angry at the Arsenal hierarchy after their transfer failings.
As a result, he has been left with just Raheem Sterling, Leandro Trossard and Ethan Nwaneri as his front three, with Mikel Merino filling in as a makeshift striker from the bench.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Humm revealed that their issues may be set to persist as a more realistic return date was outlined for Saka.
“When Saka got injured, I was told we’d be lucky if he played again this season,” he told Football Insider.
“I still think the best-case-scenario for him is to play the last three or four games of the season.
“I’ve seen reports saying he might be back in March.
“But there are so many variables with Saka, because he’s never had a long-term injury.
“From what I’m told, he’s very professional, treats his body well, concentrates on his sleep and his diet, all that sort of stuff.
“But with things like this, you just don’t know how quickly or how well something is going to heal because he’s never had a long-term injury before.
“To come out saying he’s more than likely to be back at the end of March, I don’t think that’s fair.
“It’s just getting Arsenal fans excited, but when he does come back, it’s not like he’s going to come straight in playing 90 minutes every game.
“So I’m not sure about that return date for the end of March.”
Raheem Sterling update emerges behind the scenes at the Emirates
On top of the injuries to Saka, Martinelli, Havertz and Jesus, there have been growing concerns at Arsenal about the performances of Raheem Sterling.
Since arriving on loan from Chelsea in the summer, the former England man has started just four Premier League games despite their need for strength in depth out wide.
Former Man United chief scout Brown told Football Insider on 19 February that the Gunners are concerned about Sterling’s level of performance both on and off the pitch.
There are now fears that the 30-year-old may be “over the hill” in terms of his fitness and ability to impact a game, despite his increased importance in his teammates’ absence.
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