TL:DR – Reasons for Bukayo Saka’s Absence in Today’s Arsenal Match vs Leeds United
- Bukayo Saka injured: Arsenal winger ruled out against Leeds United after a warm-up injury.
- Lineup changes: Noni Madueke replaces Saka; Christian Norgaard adds to bench.
- Recent struggles: Arsenal aims to extend table lead following a defeat to Manchester United.
- Manager’s comments: Mikel Arteta addresses Saka’s foot issue, pending further assessments.
- Team updates: Viktor Gyokeres starts; Martin Odegaard benched as Gabriel captains.
For live updates, follow here.
Why Bukayo Saka is not playing for Arsenal against Leeds United today | Football
Bukayo Saka is not featuring today (Picture: Getty)
Bukayo Saka has been ruled out of Arsenal’s Premier League clash against Leeds United at the last minute after picking up an injury in the warm-up.
Saka was rested in midweek for the Champions League match against Kairat but returned to Arsenal’s starting lineup for the visit to Elland Road.
The Gunners are looking to extend their lead at the top of the table to seven points after a defeat to Manchester United last weekend.
However, Mikel Arteta’s side were dealt a late blow after Saka picked up a knock in the warm-up.
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The winger was seen heading straight down the tunnel with one of the Arsenal physios, and has now been replaced in the starting lineup by Noni Madueke.
Christian Norgaard, who was not originally named in Arsenal’s matchday squad, has moved onto the bench to replace Madueke.
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Earlier in the afternoon, there was more injury woes for Arsenal with Mikel Merino not named in the matchday squad after sustaining a foot injury.
Saka picked up an injury in the warm-up against Leeds (Picture: Getty)
Asked about the midfielder’s absence pre-match, Arteta said: ‘He’s got an issue in his foot.
‘It’s a bone that’s giving him some pain, and we have some exams, we need some more specialists to look at it and to see how long he will be out.’
Leeds United vs Arsenal team news
Leeds starting XI: Darlow, Bogle, Gudmundsson, Rodon, Struijk, Justin, Ampadu, Gruev, Stach, Aaronson, Calvert-Lewin
Subs: Perri, Byram, Bornauw, Longstaff, Tanaka, Buonanotte, Okafor, Gnoto, Piroe
Arsenal starting XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Zubimendi, Rice, Havertz, Madueke, Trossard, Gyokeres.
Subs: Arrizabalaga, White, Calafiori, Mosquera, Odegaard, Eze, Norgaard, Martinelli, Jesus.
Elsewhere, Viktor Gyokeres will lead the line for Arsenal after being benched in midweek, with Kai Havertz dropping further back into midfield.
The German started against Kairat for the first time since his major knee injury, but starts again today at Leeds.
Martin Odegaard has been dropped to the bench by Arteta, with Gabriel Jeusus, Eberechi Eze, and Gabriel Martinelli also amongst the subs.
With Saka injured and Odegaard on the bench, Gabriel will captain the side from the start.
Leeds, meanwhile, make one change from their 1-1 draw with Everton on Monday as Gabriel Gudmundsson comes in for Sebastiaan Bornauw.
Daniel Farke’s side have lost just one of their last ten league games, but currently sit 16th in the table.