Mikel Arteta gives update on availability of Bukayo Saka for Newcastle United semi-final matches | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta saw his best player and most dangerous attacking threat, Bukayo Saka, leave Selhurst Park on crutches last Saturday.

With the Arsenal boss then admitting that the England winger was “gutted” and “really emotional” after picking up this injury issue at such a key stage of the season.

Bukayo Saka has incredible stats for Arsenal, starting 22 games for the Gunners in all competitions this season, in which he has had 22 direct goal involvements, scoring nine and thirteen assists.

Last season (2023/24) in all competitions, Saka started 44 matches and had 33 direct goal involvements, scoring 20 and getting 13 assists.

Friday night underlined just how much Arsenal miss Bukayo Saka when he isn’t available, the Gunners struggling to a 1-0 win at home to relegation threatened Ipswich. Arsenal finding it difficult to create chances.

After that narrow Premier League match, Mikel Arteta gave an update on Bukayo Saka, regarding his upcoming availability for matches, including the two semi-final Carabao Cup games against Newcastle United.

Mikel Arteta revealed that Bukayo Saka has now had surgery on his injured hamstring and is set to be out for more than two months.

Arsenal play at home against Newcastle United in nine days time in the first leg of the semi-final, with the second leg at St James’ Park in 39 days time, so Bukayo Saka now confirmed as missing both NUFC cup matches for sure.

Since his debut in November 2018, Saka has made 250 appearances for the Gunners, scoring 67 goals and providing 63 assists.

He scored 20 goals in 47 appearances last season, accounting for 17.7% of the 120 goals Arsenal managed in all competitions.

This season that percentage has dropped slightly, with Saka having netted nine of the Gunners’ 56 goals (16.1%). He has assisted 10 of Arsenal’s 34 Premier League goals.

In Saka’s 250 Arsenal matches, they have won 143 (57.2%), drawn 50 and lost 57.

In the 73 matches Saka has missed since his debut, the Gunners have won 41 (56.2%), drawn 10 and lost 22.’

Newcastle United upcoming matches:

Monday 30 December – Man U v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 4 January – Tottenham v Newcastle (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Tuesday 7 January – Arsenal v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports and ITV1 and ITVX

Sunday 12 January – Newcastle v Bromley (3pm) BBC iPlayer (FA Cup)

Wednesday 15 January – Newcastle v Wolves (7.30pm) TNT Sports

Saturday 18 January – Newcastle v Bournemouth (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Saturday 25 January – Southampton v Newcastle (3pm)

Saturday 1 February – Newcastle v Fulham (3pm)

Wednesday 5 February – Newcastle v Arsenal (8pm) Sky Sports