Arsenal have been bracing themselves for bad news on Bukayo Saka since he limped off in Munich, and it looks like their fears have been confirmed.

Mikel Arteta revealed in his press conference ahead of the Everton game that Saka was having another MRI scan this afternoon, because fluid in the area had made it difficult to understand the extent of the injury. He said with the pain Saka has when he walks, there are “not good signs”. Now a timeline of when we can expect him to be back has emerged.

Bukayo Saka facing at least six weeks out

According to Hand of Arsenal, Saka is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines. “Bukayo Saka faces a minimum of 6 weeks out,” they posted on X. “Some sources say the timeline for a return is 6-8 weeks but it’s important to update as and when his recovery begins as these situations are complex.”

A six-to-eight-week absence would keep him out until somewhere between early and mid-December. Arsenal are yet to confirm the full extent of the problem, and Arteta said a definitive assessment would follow once the club had heard from specialists.

The games Bukayo Saka is set to miss

If Saka is out for a minimum of six weeks, he’s set to miss the following games:

• Everton (H) – Premier League – Sat 24 October
• Fleetwood Town (A) – Carabao Cup – Tue 27 October
• Liverpool (A) – Premier League – Sun 1 November
• Slavia Prague – Champions League – Wed 4 November
• Hull City – Premier League – Sat 7 November
• Newcastle United (A) – Premier League – Sat 21 November
• Borussia Dortmund (H) – Champions League – Tue 24 November
• Manchester City (H) – Premier League – Sun 29 November
• Brentford (A) – Premier League – Wed 2 December

If his recovery takes closer to eight weeks, he could also miss:

• Tottenham Hotspur (A) – Premier League – Sun 6 December
• Real Madrid (H) – Champions League – Wed 9 December
• Bournemouth (H) – Premier League – Sun 13 December

That would make Manchester United at home on Sunday 20 December a realistic target for his return. Before then, Arsenal face Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester City, Tottenham and Real Madrid without their best attacker, a run that could go a long way to shaping their season.

Saka will be absolutely gutted, and Arteta will have to manage without him. Noni Madueke is expected to move to the right, with Eberechi Eze on the left, and Max Dowman now the first wide option off the bench. If Saka’s absence stretches into December, Arsenal could also look at recalling Ethan Nwaneri from his loan at Borussia Dortmund when the January window opens.