Saka limps off inside 10 minutes as Arsenal draw 2-2 with Bayern in Champions League

Bukayo Saka suffered another injury blow on Tuesday night, limping off in the 10th minute of Arsenal’s 2-2 Champions League draw with Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena — the latest setback in a career increasingly disrupted by muscular problems.

The 25-year-old appeared to feel his quad as he attempted a pass outside the Bayern box, going straight to the ground before receiving treatment. It quickly became clear he could not continue, and Mikel Arteta has since acknowledged the medical staff’s unease over what they found.

“They are a bit concerned,” Arteta said. “A player who has to come off with a really sharp pain is never good news but we have to wait and see.”

Eberechi Eze came on as the direct replacement, having lost his starting berth to Noni Madueke following his winner against Nottingham Forest the previous weekend. The England international made an immediate impact, firing into the far corner to open the scoring — a goal initially ruled offside before being awarded by VAR.

Arsenal now face an anxious wait on the full extent of Saka’s injury. The winger had made a bright start to the campaign, contributing to five goals across all competitions as the Gunners look to defend their Premier League title and improve on last season’s runners-up finish in Europe.

Injury, however, has been a persistent theme throughout Saka’s career. He managed an Achilles problem into England’s World Cup campaign, and earlier this season missed more than 20 matches after suffering a recurrence of a hamstring injury first sustained in December 2024.

Arteta is already without Christos Tzolis on the wing, and a prolonged absence for Saka would significantly deepen his selection problems in the wide areas as Arsenal navigate a demanding schedule on two fronts.