Is Saka Injured? Arsenal face fresh doubts before Sporting trip
Arsenal’s injury picture tightened after Saturday’s FA Cup defeat to Southampton, with is saka injured now part of the immediate focus ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg in Lisbon. Bukayo Saka is among the players under doubt, while Gabriel also emerged from the match with a fresh concern. Mikel Arteta must now wait on assessments as Arsenal look to steady themselves after back-to-back losses and two cup exits.
Arsenal’s latest setback after Southampton
Arsenal went into the St Mary’s match with some positive signs on the team-news front, as Martin Odegaard and Gabriel were both fit enough to start after injury issues. William Saliba, Martin Zubimendi and Noni Madueke also featured from the bench in the second half after withdrawing from their international squads.
That optimism did not last. Gabriel was forced off in the second half, and the list of doubts for Tuesday’s trip grew to include Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber and Leandro Trossard. Arsenal’s defeat ended any hope of using the weekend to recover from the Carabao Cup final loss, and it added urgency to the question of whether is saka injured in a way that could affect the European tie.
What Arteta said after the match
Arteta did not offer a full diagnosis on Gabriel after the game. “I think he felt something, ” he said. “I don’t know exactly what it is. We’re going to have to assess him, but obviously, when a player is asking to be substituted, it’s never good news. ”
The Arsenal manager also addressed the wider reaction to the loss, telling his squad to look at themselves “in the mirror” while defending their effort. He said some players “didn’t have to be here today, ” added that he would “defend them more than ever, ” and stressed that responsibility starts with him. He also called for “clarity and conviction” and said Arsenal must keep their attitude and energy at the highest possible level.
Why Saka matters now
The immediate issue for Arsenal is not only the defeat, but the timing. Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg is the next test, and the club’s injury situation leaves little room for error. The latest update does not confirm that Saka is unavailable, but it does place him firmly among the players whose status needs checking before selection decisions are made.
That makes is saka injured one of the central questions in the build-up, especially with Arsenal already dealing with the knock-on effects of a crowded season and a string of physical concerns. The team’s form and fitness are now linked more tightly than ever.
What happens next in Lisbon
Gabriel trained with the group on Monday morning and was later confirmed fit to feature in Lisbon, which offers Arsenal at least one encouraging sign. The situation around Saka, Rice, Timber and Trossard remains less clear, and the final team news will shape how aggressively Arsenal can approach the first leg. For now, is saka injured is a live question with real consequences for a season that has already taken another sharp turn.
