What fixtures will Saka miss for Arsenal?

Bukayo Saka, the England winger who has become a linchpin in Arsenal’s attack, is now staring at a potentially lengthy lay‑off. The 21‑year‑old, whose blistering pace and creative flair have earned him praise from pundits and fans alike, was seen limping off the pitch in the pre‑match press conference before the clash with Everton. Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s head coach, admitted the injury is “not looking good” and that Saka will need further scans before any decision can be made on his return. The prospect of Saka missing the next two months or more has already set tongues wagging across the Premier League.

Arteta revealed that Saka will undergo an MRI scan on Friday, 23 October 2026, after a series of scans showed a significant amount of fluid in the affected area. “We will know tomorrow,” the coach said, hinting that the next day’s scan results will dictate whether Saka can resume training. The urgency is clear: the team’s schedule is packed, with matches on Sunday, Wednesday, and Saturday, leaving little room for recovery. If the injury proves more serious than initially thought, the Gunners could be without their talisman for a substantial portion of the season.

Assuming Saka remains sidelined, Arsenal faces a grueling run of fixtures from October to December 2026. The list includes high‑stakes Premier League clashes, domestic cup ties, and European battles:

• October 24, Everton (H)
• October 27, Fleetwood Town (A) [Carabao Cup]
• November 1, Liverpool (A)
• November 4, Slavia Prague (A) [UCL]
• November 7, Hull City (H)
• November 21, Newcastle United (A)
• November 24, Borussia Dortmund (H) [UCL]
• November 29, Manchester City (H)
• December 2, Brentford (A)
• December 6, Tottenham Hotspur (A)
• December 9, Real Madrid (H) [UCL]
• December 13, Bournemouth (H)
• December 20, Manchester United (H)
• December 27, Crystal Palace (A)

Missing a player of Saka’s calibre during such a condensed period could tilt the balance in several key games, particularly the Champions League fixtures against Slavia Prague, Borussia Dortmund, and Real Madrid.

Arteta’s comments about the intensified demands on players underscore a broader trend in modern football: the shrinking window between matches. Teams are expected to deliver peak performances with minimal recovery time, a reality that amplifies the risk of injuries. Arsenal’s reliance on Saka for both creative output and defensive work rates highlights how a single injury can ripple through a squad’s tactical framework. If Saka is out until 2027, Arteta will need to re‑engineer his lineup, potentially elevating younger players or bringing in reinforcements to maintain competitiveness.

Given the current trajectory, it is plausible that Saka will miss the remainder of the 2026‑27 season. The combination of a serious injury, a congested fixture list, and the high physical demands Arteta describes suggests that a full recovery will take longer than a few weeks. Arsenal’s management will likely prioritize a cautious approach, ensuring Saka returns fully fit rather than rushing him back and risking re‑injury.

Arsenal’s upcoming matches, especially the Champions League ties, will test the squad’s depth. If Saka is unavailable, the Gunners may lean on players like Bukayo’s teammates to fill the creative void. This scenario could accelerate the development of younger squad members, reshaping the team’s dynamics for years to come.

In short, Saka’s injury is not just a personal setback; it is a pivotal moment that could reshape Arsenal’s strategy for the rest of the season. The coming days will reveal whether the club can navigate this challenge without compromising their lofty ambitions.