According to a report by Football London on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, former Arsenal Director of High Performance Darren Burgess has raised concerns about the possible causes of Bukayo Saka's latest injury, highlighting the increasing physical demands placed on young footballers in modern football.

Burgess discussed the England international's recurring fitness concerns, explaining that excessive playing time, previous injuries and the intensity of professional football can contribute to soft-tissue problems. He stressed that young players who regularly participate in demanding competitions need proper physical management to reduce their risk of injury.

Saka suffered his latest setback during Arsenal's Champions League encounter against Bayern Munich, forcing him to leave the pitch and creating further uncertainty about his availability. The 25-year-old has already made more than 320 appearances for the Gunners since establishing himself in the senior team, raising questions about the physical consequences of his extensive involvement for club and country.

Burgess, who previously worked at Arsenal during the managerial periods of Arsène Wenger and Unai Emery, explained that decisions regarding an injured player's participation usually involve discussions between the manager and the footballer.

"Ultimately, the manager decides with the player," Burgess explained.

He added that medical and performance departments can advise against selecting a player when they believe there is a considerable possibility of worsening an existing problem. Nevertheless, the manager and player may still agree that the footballer is fit enough to participate.

The former Arsenal official also emphasised the importance of communication and mutual confidence between coaching staff and medical personnel, particularly when assessing players' physical condition and deciding whether they should return to action.

Discussing Saka's situation, Burgess expressed particular concern about young players who depend on speed, power and explosive movements. He referenced Raheem Sterling and Cesc Fàbregas while explaining how talented youngsters can be exposed to demanding schedules and substantial playing minutes early in their careers.

"So I have a great fear for the young players of the game now if they're thrown in and mismanaged, particularly when they're playing in the Premier League, of which the intensity is just through the roof," he said.

Although Burgess admitted that he did not know the precise circumstances surrounding Saka's latest setback, he warned that players with explosive playing styles require careful workload management.

He also suggested that the problem might have been developing before the Bayern Munich encounter, meaning the match itself may not necessarily have caused the injury.