The Premier League continues with an intriguing encounter as league leaders Arsenal host promoted side Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
This matchday 25 fixture sees Arsenal aiming to maintain their position at the top of the table following a strong run of results, including a convincing 4-0 victory over Leeds United and a midweek win against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
A key concern for Arsenal fans is the continued absence of star winger Bukayo Saka. The 24-year-old England international is sidelined for his third consecutive match due to a hip injury. He originally picked up the issue during the warm-up before the recent win at Leeds United, where he was set to start but felt discomfort and was withdrawn late. This
forced him to miss the subsequent Carabao Cup tie against Chelsea as well.In his pre-match press conference, Mikel Arteta provided a positive update, stating that Saka's hip is "getting much better" and expressing hope that he will return "very soon. "
No precise return date was confirmed, ruling him out of the Sunderland clash and leaving Arsenal to adapt without their key attacking threat. Reports describe the problem as a niggle or minor muscle issue rather than a severe setback, with further tests ongoing to monitor progress.
Saka's unavailability is a notable blow, given his consistent contributions in goals, assists, and dynamism on the right flank this season. Arsenal have managed to win their recent games without him, demonstrating squad depth, but his presence would add significant quality in a tight title pursuit. Arteta's comments suggest optimism for a swift recovery, potentially in time for upcoming big fixtures like the North London Derby later in the month.
