Bukayo Saka is the biggest victim of Arsenal's transfer failures

Saka sidelined for at least six weeks with a quad injury; the latest in a series of setbacks since his 87-game Premier League streak ended.

Bukayo Saka faces at least six weeks out with a quad problem after limping off during Arsenal's 2-1 Champions League defeat at Lens. The injury is the third in as many matches, following a foot injury against Tottenham and another issue against Bournemouth.

The setback marks another chapter in a troubling injury record. Since the start of the 2023-24 season, Saka has missed 48 matches through injury—before that point in his career, he had been absent for only three. He previously missed over 100 days with hamstring surgery and chunks of last season with Achilles and hip problems.

The article argues Arsenal's recruitment failures have compounded the issue. Manager Mikel Arteta has relied heavily on Saka due to poor signings on the right wing—Willian, Fabio Vieira, Raheem Sterling, and Noni Madueke—forcing the winger to play through fatigue and injury. By age 22, Saka had already made 212 senior appearances for club and country, compared to 200 for Lionel Messi at the same age. The toll is now evident.