According to a report by London Evening Standard on Friday October 23, 2026, Bukayo Saka is expected to miss at least six weeks with a quadriceps injury sustained against Bayern Munich, with Arsenal fearing the winger could remain sidelined for up to eight weeks.

The projected recovery period could rule him out of several important fixtures, including the potential December clash against Real Madrid.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed before the Everton match that Saka required another MRI scan to determine the severity of the injury. Fluid around the affected area had complicated the initial assessment, making it difficult for medical staff to establish the full extent of the damage.

Arteta also expressed concern about the winger's condition, particularly the pain he experienced while walking. He explained that Saka's restricted movement was worrying and that the club needed further scans and specialist opinions before providing a definitive update.

According to BBC Sport, Arsenal's medical team believes the England international will be unavailable for a minimum of six weeks. However, an eight-week recovery period remains possible, potentially delaying his return until early or mid-December.

The injury is expected to force Saka to miss several matches against Everton, Liverpool, Slavia Prague, Newcastle United, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City and Brentford. An extended absence could also rule him out of the north London derby against Tottenham, the Real Madrid fixture and the Bournemouth encounter.

Arsenal must now find suitable replacements for their influential attacker during a demanding period of the season. Noni Madueke is expected to occupy the right-wing position, while Eberechi Eze could operate on the left. Max Dowman is also likely to provide an alternative from the bench.

If Saka's recovery extends into December, Arsenal could consider recalling Ethan Nwaneri from his loan spell when the January transfer window opens.

The Manchester United match at the Emirates Stadium on December 20, 2026, has emerged as a possible target for Saka's return. However, Arsenal will continue monitoring his recovery before determining when he can safely resume competitive action.