Arteta shares more detail on Saka’s injury and dismisses Declan Rice concern

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta admits there is still significant uncertainty over Bukayo Saka’s injury, including exactly what caused it and when the winger will be ready to return.

Saka is expected to be sidelined for several weeks, but Arteta stressed Arsenal are still trying to understand the problem and are reluctant to put a firm timeframe on his recovery.

“There are a few things that we believe can contribute but I prefer not to mention that here,” Arteta said on Saka’s freak quadriceps injury, which he suffered while passing the ball against Bayern Munich.

“In reality, to put your finger on something, maybe after you are totally wrong and it’s something else, so it’s very difficult.

“We have obviously openly discussed a lot of things with him to understand what could possibly have gone wrong but the reality is probably that, unfortunately, we don’t know.

“We can think that it’s that but nobody has certainty.”

Asked whether Saka could be out for around a month, Arteta said: “I think so, but I don’t know.

“The way it happened, it wasn’t a really aggressive action. So that gives you some hope as well that the tissue will repair in a more efficient and faster way as well.

“He’s had some very good symptoms right now so we have to wait and see.”

Arteta also dismissed concerns over Declan Rice’s workload, insisting Arsenal have taken particular care in managing the midfielder.

“He’s the only player in the squad that for two games in the Carabao Cup has been left out of the squad, at home with two days off,” Arteta said.

“It’s not true. We are really looking after him. More than any other season, in training and all the load.

“He is at the demands of this football club and not only him because there’s many others who have had even less time off.

“That has to be the mindset and if you start to put other things in your brain, damage. Erase them, put them in the bin, and just focus on what you have to do.”