Overview
- Manager Mikel Arteta confirmed on Friday that Saka has not recovered from the quadriceps injury he suffered at Bayern Munich and will be sidelined for several weeks.
- Arsenal plan a measured rehab programme to avoid rushing Saka back, which removes him from England’s Nations League squad for matches against Croatia and Spain.
- Defender Ezri Konsa was assessed as feeling better and is fit to face Hull after being substituted with knee pain in the Champions League win in Prague.
- William Saliba returned to the travelling squad for the Prague trip but did not play, and Arteta said he would not block a France call-up from coach Zinedine Zidane.
- Saka’s absence increases pressure on Arsenal’s attacking depth and may force greater reliance on players such as Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke during a packed fixture schedule.