Arsenal now fearing “another lengthy lay-off” for star after “huge injury blow”

Arsenal host Everton at the Emirates on Saturday afternoon, knowing victory would help them maintain the pressure on Man City.

The clash hands Mikel Arteta’s side an opportunity to build on their victory at Nottingham Forest, with the champions entering the weekend three points behind City.

REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane

David Moyes has kept his Everton team news close to his chest, leaving Arsenal to prepare without a clear picture of the visitors’ fitness concerns.

Arteta has received some encouragement through Piero Hincapie’s return from an ankle injury, although William Saliba and Christos Tzolis remain unavailable.

The bigger worry concerns Bukayo Saka, whose latest setback could affect far more than Saturday’s team selection.

Arsenal fear Bukayo Saka absence until December after update

John Cross reports that Arsenal are preparing for an extended absence after the winger suffered a thigh injury against Bayern Munich.

The Mirror journalist says Saka could be missing until December, with England also expected to lose him for November’s Nations League fixtures.

That would remove a major attacking option for club and country during an important stretch of the season.

Cross also reports that Saka will miss Arsenal’s trip to Liverpool on November 1, while the prospect of a December return raises concerns over his availability for further major fixtures.

Arsenal host City on November 29 before facing Tottenham the following weekend, with Real Madrid visiting in Europe on December 9.

The full recovery schedule has still to be established.

REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

Saka lasted only ten minutes of Wednesday’s 2-2 draw in Munich, and Arteta explained that further imaging and specialist advice were needed.

Fluid around the affected area had made it harder to assess the damage, with another MRI planned.

An Achilles problem affected him last season, and this fresh injury has brought another interruption to his match rhythm.

REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane

Arsenal’s own schedule illustrates the challenge, with Sunday’s trip to Forest followed by Wednesday’s game in Germany and Saturday’s meeting with Everton.

Arteta rejected the suggestion that Saka was suffering from burnout, but stressed the importance of understanding how to manage his workload when he returns.

For now, the responsibility falls on the players available.

Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze offer options across the attack, while exit-linked Max Dowman could also benefit from further opportunities.

REUTERS/Paul Childs

Madueke supplied the winner against Forest and Eze scored after replacing Saka at Bayern, giving Arteta evidence that others can contribute when called upon.

However, Tzolis’s continued absence leaves fewer choices as Arsenal enter another busy run.

Arteta has also urged Saka to bring positive energy into the training ground while he recovers, keeping the group’s attention on the matches ahead.

The immediate target is beating Everton, but Arsenal must also plan for the possibility of several weeks without their star winger.