Arteta flags Saka thigh injury as 'not good' after Bayern stalemate

Bukayo Saka’s absence from the pitch cast a shadow over Arsenal’s hard-fought point in Germany. The England winger exited Wednesday’s Champions League fixture against Bayern Munich within the first ten minutes, leaving manager Mikel Arteta to admit the situation "doesn't look good."

Saka exits early amid physical toll

The attacker was withdrawn immediately after pulling up unchallenged while attempting a routine pass. No opponent contact caused the issue, but the sudden stop signaled a suspected thigh problem for the Gunners’ talismanic wide man. This early setback occurred during a match where Arsenal eventually salvaged a 2-2 draw at the Allianz Arena.

Speaking to TNT Sports, Arteta confirmed the medical team’s unease regarding the withdrawal. "They [the medical team] are a bit concerned," he stated. He noted that a player exiting with sharp pain is never positive news, though the full extent of the damage remains unknown until further assessments are completed.

Match flow shifts before German equalizer

Eberechi Eze entered the game in place of Saka and broke the deadlock in the 25th minute. His goal followed an incisive pass from Martin Odegaard, which stood after VAR overturned an initial offside flag. However, the lead lasted only ten minutes before Bayern Munich mounted a comeback.

England captain Harry Kane split the Arsenal backline from midfield to set up Alphonso Davies. Subsequently, Kane converted a penalty from 12 yards out, sending goalkeeper David Raya the wrong way after his shot struck Jurrien Timber’s hand inside the box. Declan Rice later exchanged passes with substitute Viktor Gyokeres to drill into the bottom corner in the 82nd minute, securing the stalemate.

Intensity cited as potential factor

During his post-match press conference, Arteta addressed whether the relentless fixture schedule contributed to the injury. He highlighted Saka’s recent workload, noting the winger did not start against Lille but began the weekend league game before featuring early in this European clash.

"The level of intensity these games require is something incredible," Arteta said. He referenced the PSG-Barcelona match on Tuesday to illustrate the physical demands, describing the action as man-to-man for 96 minutes with no breathing room. The manager emphasized that the strength, quality, and attention required at this highest level make such injuries unfortunate realities.

Scans to determine recovery timeline

Saka will undergo further scans upon returning to north London to establish the exact severity of his thigh problem. The results will dictate how long the winger remains unavailable. Losing such an influential figure represents a significant challenge for Arteta as he prepares his squad for upcoming domestic Premier League commitments this weekend.

With Saka sidelined, reliance falls on Eze and Gyokeres to step up in attack. Remarkably, this result marked only the second time in European Cup or Champions League history that Arsenal scored first, fell behind, and avoided defeat. The previous instance occurred in their 2-2 stalemate against Bayern in April 2024.