Bukayo Saka, one of Arsenal’s most crucial players, has missed the last two matches after sustaining a muscle injury while on international duty with England.
The injury kept him out of Arsenal’s shock 2-0 loss to Bournemouth in the Premier League and their narrow 1-0 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.
Fans and the club alike have been anxiously awaiting news on the 23-year-old’s fitness, as his creative flair and goal-scoring ability are vital for the Gunners, especially with a big match against Liverpool on the horizon.
However, Arsenal legend and former goalkeeper David Seaman has provided a positive update that could ease concerns. Seaman revealed that Saka’s recovery is well underway and that there’s hope he could return in time for the Liverpool match this weekend.
During a recent visit to Arsenal’s training ground, Seaman saw Saka wearing boots rather than trainers, which suggests the winger is actively engaged in one-on-one rehabilitation sessions.
Seaman described this as a “good sign” and expressed optimism that the injury is not as serious as initially feared.
Saka’s absence has been keenly felt by Arsenal. His pace, dribbling, and ability to create chances make him a pivotal player in Mikel Arteta’s system.
With Arsenal already missing Martin Odegaard, their captain and another key source of creativity, Saka’s return could be crucial in providing the attacking impetus the team needs against Liverpool.
Arteta has been cautious about discussing Saka’s fitness publicly, only hinting that the player is on the road to recovery, but Seaman’s inside knowledge suggests that fans may have reason to be hopeful.
The timing of Saka’s injury has been particularly unfortunate, coming at a crucial stage of the season where Arsenal are looking to solidify their position in the Premier League title race.
The match against Liverpool, one of their main rivals, could prove to be a pivotal moment. Arsenal are already dealing with the suspension of key defender William Saliba, making Saka’s potential return even more important.
Seaman, who remains close to the club, acknowledged the challenge that lies ahead for Arsenal, especially with Saliba sidelined.
He admitted to feeling “a little bit nervy” about the game but emphasized that such high-stakes matches are opportunities to test the team’s strength and resilience. “These are the games you want,” Seaman said
Seaman noted that they serve as a benchmark for how good a team is or could become throughout the season.
While Saka’s full fitness is not yet confirmed, Seaman’s comments suggest that Arsenal fans can remain cautiously optimistic about his availability.
Regardless of the lineup, Seaman believes Arsenal has the strength and depth on the bench to get a result against Liverpool, even if they aren’t at their best.