December 29, (THEWILL) – Arsenal forward, Bukayo Saka, is expected to be sidelined for more than two months following surgery on a torn hamstring, the club has confirmed. The 23-year-old England international sustained the injury during Arsenal’s 5-1 win against Crystal Palace on December 18.
Initial medical assessments caused concern among Arsenal’s medical staff, who feared a complete hamstring detachment from the bone. However, subsequent scans revealed a muscle tear, which, while serious, presented a more optimistic outlook for recovery.
Following his operation, Saka shared an encouraging message on Instagram: “The majority see obstacles, but few see the opportunities. Recovery has begun and I’m coming back stronger! Thank you all for your messages.”
The injury marks a significant setback in what has been an exceptionally durable career for the young forward. Prior to this incident, Saka’s longest absence due to fitness issues was 18 days, with a brief spell on the sidelines between October and November 2024 due to a similar muscular condition.
Since his breakthrough during the 2019/2020 season, Saka has accumulated 250 appearances for Arsenal, becoming the third-youngest player in the club’s history to reach this milestone. Only Cesc Fabregas and David O’Leary achieved this feat at a younger age.
Arsenal management are reportedly considering potential temporary replacements during the January transfer window, with Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Matheus Cunha among the candidates under consideration. However, completing a transfer during the mid-season window remains challenging.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
