Arsenal dealt massive blow as Bukayo Saka in race against time to be fit for Man City clash after fresh hamstring injury

BUKAYO SAKA is in a race to be fit for Arsenal’s blockbuster Premier League clash with Manchester City next month.

The Gunners star hobbled off with a hamstring injury in the 53rd minute of their 5-0 thumping of Leeds United at the Emirates on Sunday.

Boss Mikel Arteta said post-match: “He felt something while he was sprinting. That’s never a good sign.

“But he’s had these injuries before. He knows exactly the feeling of that.”

Arteta also claimed it was the opposite hamstring to the one that Saka tore at Crystal Palace last December that kept him out for three months following an operation.

SunSport understands this fresh issue is not as serious as that, but it is expected that it could be between three and four weeks rather than several months on the sidelines with Arsenal expected to take maximum precaution, unwilling to risk rushing him back.

It means the England winger is set to miss Sunday’s trip to Anfield, and is highly unlikely to join up with the Three Lions for their clashes against Andorra on September 6 and away to Serbia on September 9.

The Prem outing against Nottingham Forest on September 13 may come too soon, but Arteta will be desperate to have Saka available when they welcome title rivals City on September 21.

The international break could prove a blessing in disguise for Saka and his recovery time.

Arsenal struggled with injuries last season, with Saka, Gabriel Magalhaes, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Ben White all undergoing operations.

And they have already been hampered this term with skipper Martin Odegaard also being subbed off with a shoulder injury against Leeds, but he is expected to be in contention to travel to Anfield.

Havertz is also facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a knee injury picked up earlier this week that sparked Arsenal’s hijacking of Tottenham’s £68million deal for Eberechi Eze.

However, Arteta has spent over £250m on seven new signings this summer, so has the squad to deal with the absences.

With Saka out, Eze could be in line to make his full debut against Liverpool after seeing his switch from Crystal Palace confirmed on Saturday, joining the squad for training at London Colney today.

SunSport have exclusively revealed how Arsenal are set to launch a £52m bid for Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie – who was being lined up by Spurs.

However, the Gunners will need to confirm the exit of centre back Jakub Kiwior BEFORE the deal goes ahead.