The 25-year-old winger missed nearly four months of the 2024/25 season with a serious hamstring injury and was hampered last season with an Achilles problem that limited his impact for England at the Fifa World Cup.
“We really need to understand now, when he comes back, whenever that is, how are we going to manage that load again? What is capable today to sustain having an impact in the team?” Arteta added.
Saka’s absence could be a major blow to Arsenal’s hopes of retaining the Premier League title. Since his Premier League debut in 2019, the Gunners’ win percentage is more than 10% lower without the forward. Saka’s absence, however, could open the door for 16-year-old Max Dowman to get more minutes with the Gunners.
Dowman became the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history when he was on target against Everton last season.
“There is something inevitable to go back to that memory and the feeling of the moment,” Arteta said.
“That’s with us, and that’s going to stay in that stadium for a long, long time. He (Dowman) is training, and every time he’s got a moment to play, he is showing that he is a player who is going to impact the game, so for sure he is going to have minutes.” | AFP
