Bukayo Saka injury 'not good' says Mikel Arteta as Martin Odegaard also forced off during Arsenal's thumping win over Leeds United

Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard suffered injuries during Arsenal's Premier League clash with Leeds United. The news is a huge blow for The Gunners, who had been in high spirits following confirmation of the signing of Eberechi Eze. The north London club were still able to storm to a 5-0 win thanks to Jurrien Timber and Viktor Gyokeres doubles, as well as a goal from Saka.

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Bukayo Saka limped off the pitch during Arsenal’s 5-0 win against Leeds United at Emirates Stadium on Saturday evening, with Mikel Arteta confirming it was a hamstring issue.

Braces from both Jurrien Timber and Viktor Gyokeres saw The Gunners storm to a 5-0 win, but Saka's injury was a sour note on an otherwise excellent day.

Saka, who missed four months of last season with a hamstring injury, was forced off in the 53rd minute.

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Martin Odegaard was also removed towards the end of the first half due to a shoulder injury, giving Arsenal two major issues ahead of their clash with reigning champions Liverpool next week.

"Martin looks like a shoulder issue so we will have to scan tomorrow and understand how bad it is," Arteta told Sky Sports after the game.

"And Bukayo had to come off after sprinting and when he was wrestling with the defender he felt something in his hamstring I think. It is the other side, but it is still not good."

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Arteta confirmed that the injury was not the same hamstring that kept Saka out for a sizeable portion of last season, but the 23-year-old and Odegaard join Kai Havertz, who is nursing a knee injury, on the sidelines.

"I don't know [how long they will be out]. We already lost Kai which is a big player for us and now Bukayo and Martin," he said.

"That is why the squad has to be well-equipped. It is going to be a long season and we are going to need a lot of players in order to achieve what we want."

Everything appeared to be going well for The Gunners, with Eberechi Eze’s transfer from Crystal Palace being confirmed ahead of kick-off.

Things got even better after goals from Jurrien Timber and Saka put the hosts 2-0 up at the break.

Then Viktor Gyokeres scored his first goal for the club after half-time to make it 3-0 and send the Arsenal fans into a state of ecstasy.

Max Dowman made his Premier League debut and the 15-year-old was lively, winning a penalty in injury time that Gyokeres converted for his second goal.

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Despite goals from Gyokeres and a promising display from Dowman, injuries to Saka and Odegaard tainted the occasion.

Saka missed a significant portion of last season after suffering a hamstring injury during his side’s 5-1 win against Crystal Palace last December.

He was subsequently out of action for three incredibly busy months, missing 19 games as a result.

Saka’s substitution will also be a big concern for England manager Thomas Tuchel. The Three Lions have two World Cup qualifiers to look ahead to in September, against Andorra and Serbia.

The Gunners have one more game before that international break. They will travel to Anfield to face defending Premier League champions Liverpool on August 31.

It may be early in the season, but that clash could prove crucial in the title race come the end of the season.

Arsenal fans will now have to wait for further details on Saka and Odegaard’s fitness ahead of the fixture.

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