According to a report by London Evening Standard on Friday, October 23, 2026, Arsenal are facing the prospect of being without Bukayo Saka for between six and eight weeks after the winger suffered a quadriceps injury against Bayern Munich.

The setback could force the England international to miss several crucial matches during a busy period for Mikel Arteta’s side, with a possible December meeting against Real Madrid also at risk.

Arteta confirmed ahead of Arsenal’s match against Everton that Saka would undergo another MRI scan to establish the seriousness of the injury. The presence of fluid around the affected area had made the initial examination more difficult, leaving the club waiting for a clearer assessment.

The Arsenal manager also raised concerns about the pain Saka was experiencing while walking. He explained that the winger’s limited movement was worrying and that further medical examinations and specialist advice were needed before the club could confirm the full extent of the damage.

According to BBC Sport, Arsenal’s medical staff expect the 25-year-old to be unavailable for at least six weeks. However, his recovery could take as long as eight weeks, meaning he might not return until early or mid-December.

Saka is expected to miss a series of important fixtures, including games against Everton, Liverpool, Slavia Prague, Newcastle United, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City and Brentford.

Should his absence extend beyond the initial recovery period, he could also miss the north London derby against Tottenham, the potential clash with Real Madrid and Arsenal’s meeting with Bournemouth.

The injury leaves Arteta with the task of reshuffling his attacking options as Arsenal attempt to maintain their form across multiple competitions. Noni Madueke is expected to be considered for the right-wing position, while Eberechi Eze could feature on the opposite flank. Youngster Max Dowman may also provide an option from the bench.

If Saka remains unavailable into December, Arsenal could explore the possibility of bringing Ethan Nwaneri back from his loan spell when the January transfer window opens.

The Premier League encounter against Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on December 20, 2026, has been identified as a possible return date for Saka.

However, Arsenal are expected to take a cautious approach to his rehabilitation, with the club prioritising his recovery before deciding when he will be ready to return to competitive action.