Arsenal look for alternatives after Saka injury

Arsenal lost Bukayo Saka early in their 2-2 draw away at Bayern Munich. After an ordinary strike with his left foot, the player felt a sharp pain in his quadriceps and came off in the 10th minute. Mikel Arteta said the medical staff were worried and that the situation does not look good at all.

Saka had been able to play almost constantly between 2020/21 and 2023/24. Since then he has dealt with hamstring, Achilles tendon and hip problems. The team's attack is already missing summer signing Christos Tzolis because of a thigh injury. It was said that Tzolis is weeks away from returning. Arsenal also failed to add Vinicius Jr and Julian Alvarez to their squad in the summer.

In Premier League matches where Saka starts, Arsenal's win rate is 64.2 percent. In matches where he does not start, it drops to 53.3 percent. Last season the gap was larger: 76 percent against 53.8 percent. The team also produces more shots and goals per match with him.

Although his form has been debated in recent weeks, Saka came on as a substitute against Lille and produced a goal and an assist. With three goals, he is Arsenal's top scorer in the Premier League. He is also first in the team for shots, touches in the opposition box and expected goals.

In the Bayern match, Eberechi Eze replaced Saka. Eze's goalscoring contribution came from the left side, while the right wing was filled by Noni Madueke, who moved over from the left.