Arsenal’s injury woes escalated during the recent match against Leeds on Saturday Night Football. Captain Martin Ødegaard was forced to leave the field after suffering an apparent shoulder injury following an intense challenge in the first half, despite having initially continued playing.
The situation worsened in the second half when Bukayo Saka, who had just scored Arsenal’s second goal, went down with what seemed to be a pulled left hamstring. Saka, who missed significant time last season due to a similar injury, was substituted for Leandro Trossard in the 53rd minute. On-air, Gary Neville remarked, "You can read his lips. He said: ‘Oh my God’. This is tough for him; he rarely goes down injured."
As the match unfolded, fans and commentators alike grew increasingly anxious, with Sky Sports‘ Nick Wright commenting, "Saka looks troubled as he exits. So do the Arsenal supporters nearby."
Complicating matters for Arsenal, who are already facing an injury crisis ahead of a pivotal match against Liverpool next weekend, was the earlier news that Kai Havertz would be sidelined, although details about his injury remain unclear.
In addition, Christian Norgaard, another summer signing, is still recuperating from his own injury and has yet to make his debut. Defender Ben White failed a late fitness test for the Leeds match, and Jurrien Timber‘s minutes are being carefully managed despite his impressive performance of two goals and an assist during the game. Meanwhile, Gabriel Jesus continues his rehabilitation from an ACL injury.
Interestingly, the match also marked the pre-match unveiling of Eberechi Eze, who was introduced to the Arsenal crowd wearing the No. 10 shirt after transferring from Crystal Palace. The current injury situation escalates the pressure on Arsenal as they gear up for their challenges in the 2025 Premier League season.