Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka is expected to remain sidelined for another eight weeks, compounding the club’s injury troubles after failing to sign a forward during the January transfer window.
The 23-year-old suffered a right hamstring tear during Arsenal’s 5-1 win over Crystal Palace on December 21 and has not played since. His absence has been further exacerbated by injuries to two other Arsenal forwards, who have been ruled out for the rest of the season.
Gabriel Jesus sustained an ACL injury last month, likely keeping him out for most of 2025. Meanwhile, after a warm-weather training camp in Dubai, it was confirmed that top scorer Kai Havertz will miss the remainder of the season following hamstring surgery.
Additionally, Gabriel Martinelli is expected to be out for around a month after picking up an injury against Newcastle. Now, The Mirror reports that Saka’s return could be delayed until mid-April, later than initially anticipated.
This leaves Mikel Arteta with just Leandro Trossard, Raheem Sterling, and youngster Ethan Nwaneri as attacking options for Saturday’s match against Leicester. Arsenal remains in pursuit of Premier League leaders Liverpool, managed by Arne Slot.
Despite their injury crisis, Arsenal did not secure a new forward in the winter transfer window, though not for lack of effort. Arteta confirmed earlier this month that the club attempted to strengthen the squad but ultimately fell short.
The Arsenal manager has made it clear he intends to reinforce the team, as they trail Liverpool by seven points. Speaking to the press, he said: “We had a clear intention. The transfer window was an opportunity to improve the squad with impactful players. We didn’t succeed, so we are disappointed. But we also remain disciplined in our approach.”
Arteta refrained from going into specifics, stating: “There were various reasons why we couldn’t make a signing, and we have to accept that.”
When asked if the club’s approach in January would affect their summer transfer plans, he emphasized the importance of sticking to their strategy: “It’s about finding the right profile of player—someone who truly improves us, financially and in other ways. We have to stay on the path that has brought us this far while looking for ways to get better.”
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