Arsenal Face Chelsea Without Star Winger Bukayo Saka
In a significant blow to Mikel Arteta's plans, Bukayo Saka has been confirmed as absent from the Arsenal squad for Tuesday evening's Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Chelsea. The Gunners host their London rivals at the Emirates Stadium, holding a narrow 3-2 advantage from the first leg at Stamford Bridge, but will now attempt to secure a Wembley final berth without one of their key attackers.
Injury Details and Manager's Comments
Saka sustained the injury during the warm-up ahead of Arsenal's recent Premier League fixture against Leeds United. Speaking in his pre-match press conference, manager Mikel Arteta provided an update on the England international's condition. "We have to wait. Today he was better but we have to wait and see how he responds, and then make the decision," Arteta stated. He added, "It doesn't look like something too serious. Whether he's going to be available for tomorrow or the weekend, we'll see."
Despite this cautiously optimistic assessment, Saka has been omitted entirely from the matchday squad for the Chelsea encounter. Reports indicate he also missed training sessions in the build-up to the game, suggesting a more extended recovery period may be necessary.
Potential Return Timeline and Squad Absences
Current speculation points towards a possible return for Saka ahead of the North London Derby scheduled for February 22nd. Before that pivotal Premier League clash, Arsenal have a busy fixture list, including league matches against Sunderland and Brentford, as well as an FA Cup fourth-round tie against League One side Wigan Athletic.
The injury woes for Arsenal extend beyond Saka. Midfielder Mikel Merino is set for a prolonged absence after requiring surgery for a foot injury. Arteta expressed his disappointment, noting, "He needs to go through a procedure, which is not always positive. He's a big player for us, a player that has such versatility and capacity to compete in various positions, and that's a big blow." The manager described it as a "very rare injury" and emphasised the need to respect the healing process, though he remains hopeful for Merino's swift recovery.
Carabao Cup Final Prospects
Should Arsenal overcome Chelsea and progress to the Carabao Cup final, they will face either Newcastle United or Manchester City. Manchester City currently lead their semi-final tie 2-0 after the first leg, thanks to goals from Antoine Semenyo and Rayan Cherki. The absence of Saka, a player capable of moments of match-winning brilliance, undoubtedly complicates Arsenal's path to silverware in this competition.
This development places additional pressure on Arteta's remaining attacking options to deliver in a high-stakes London derby, with a place at Wembley on the line.
