Why isn’t Bukayo Saka playing for Arsenal against Brentford in the Premier League today?

Arsenal are looking to close the gap to league leaders Liverpool on New Year’s Day but are without star attacker Saka.

Arsenal are just about clinging onto the coattails of Premier League leaders Liverpool, who they are nine points behind going into the New Year’s Day game away to Brentford (kickoff at 12:30 p.m ET). Their task against their London rivals will, however, be made more difficult by the absence of star man Bukayo Saka.

What injury does Bukayo Saka have?

Saka was forced off midway through the first half of the 5-1 win over Crystal Palace on December 21, with The Gunners later revealing the winger had suffered a serious hamstring injury. The 23-year-old had surgery at the weekend, with coach Mikel Arteta revealing he expects Saka to be absent for “many, many weeks”.

Arsenal followed up their victory against Palace with a 1-0 home triumph against Ipswich Town on December 27, although tougher tests await as they wait for the England international to recover.

Which Arsenal games could Saka miss?

The North Londoners have a two-legged EFL Cup semifinal against Newcastle United (January 7 and February 5), an FA Cup tie against Manchester United (January 12), Champions League games against Dinamo Zagreb (January 22) and Girona (January 29), and Premier League fixtures against Tottenham (January 15), Aston Villa (January 18) and Manchester City (February 2) on the horizon.

Since the start of the 2021/22 season, Saka has scored 56 goals in 162 games in all competitions for the North Londoners and has netted five goals and assisted another 10 in 16 Premier League appearances this season.

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