Bukayo Saka injury theory emerges after Mikel Arteta makes 'significant' claim

A theory surrounding Bukayo Saka's injury problem has emerged after the Arsenal star withdrew during their 5-0 win over Leeds United. The England international provided a fresh worry for Mikel Arteta after Martin Odegaard was forced off with, what appeared to be, a shoulder issue during the first-half.

Saka danced past the challenge of a Leeds defender before spraying the ball outwide, however he pulled up shortly after complaining about his left hamstring. He was replaced by Leandro Trossard shortly before the hour mark as Jurrien Timber and Viktor Gyokeres took proceedings beyond the West Yorkshire club's reach.

Arsenal have been forced to sweat over the fitness of Saka, following his hamstring injury that left him sidelined for an extended period last season, with Odegaard and Kai Havertz also facing time away from the starting line-up.

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An Arsenal supporter on X has raised the theory that the winger complained of cramp midway through the second-half which forced him off.

In a post, they wrote: "I read his lips and I saw Saka say something along the lines of a cramp.

"I think we are good guys."

There was a video posted via quote-tweet which showed the forward talking to the winger.

An account which specialises on football injuries, posted three different recovery timelines depending on the significance of the injury.

The post read: "Bukayo Saka was forced off in the first half with a left hamstring injury after a sprint and pass. He looked visibly frustrated, and the mechanism suggested more of a strain than simple tightness.

"Expected Recovery Times:

"Grade 1: 2-4 weeks

"Grade 2: 4-6 weeks

"Grade 3: 8-12 weeks++

"Based on the incident, it’s more likely to be a grade 1 or 2 strain, which would put his time out between 2–6 weeks, pending scan results.

"Importantly, this isn’t the same hamstring that required surgery last year, which offers some reassurance.

"As always, the exact diagnosis and timeline after a hamstring injury can only be confirmed after scans."

The Arsenal boss, however, claimed that he was taken off for something that looks significant. It would be a blow for the Gunners with Liverpool to come next weekend when they travel to Anfield.

"Martin looks like a shoulder issue so we will have to scan tomorrow and understand how bad it is," he said.

"And Bukayo had to come off after sprinting and when he was wrestling with the defender he felt something in his hamstring I think.

"It is the other side [to his previous injury] but it is still not good.

"I don't know [how long they will be out injured]. We already lost Kai [Havertz] which is a big player for us and now Bukayo and Martin.

"That is why the squad has to be well-equipped. It is going to be a long season and we are going to need a lot of players in order to achieve what we want."

He added: "I don't know, I haven't spoken to the doctors yet. But Bukayo, I took him off for something that looks significant."