Why is Bukayo Saka not playing for Arsenal vs. Manchester City?

Administrator April 19, 2026
Why is Bukayo Saka not playing for Arsenal vs. Manchester City?

Arsenal will be forced to play Manchester City in a season-defining match without star winger Bukayo Saka.

USA TODAY Sports

Saka has missed the last four matches for Arsenal as he deals with an Achilles problem, and won't be fit in time for the potential title decider on Sunday, April 19.

At his pregame press conference on Friday, April 17, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said: “Bukayo is out, that is for sure."

Earlier in the week, Arteta said the injury was “something he was carrying for a while. It was an Achilles issue. There is progression, but hopefully (he will be back in) days not weeks.”

Saka isn't the only fitness concern for Arsenal heading into the game at the Etihad Stadium.

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Noni Madueke, who could start in Saka's place, is also in doubt after he was forced off in a midweek Champions League draw against Sporting CP.

“We have another training session,” Arteta said on Madueke. “It didn’t look that bad after the game. I am hopeful he can be available but we have to wait and see.”

Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Leeds United misses a headed chance while under pressure from Leny Yoro of Manchester United at Old Trafford on April 13, 2026 in Manchester, England. Leeds United won the match, 2-1. Djordje Petrovic of AFC Bournemouth attempts to make a save while under pressure from Gabriel and William Saliba of Arsenal during the Premier League match at Emirates Stadium on April 11, 2026 in London, England. Bournemouth won the match, 2-1. Konstantinos Mavropanos of West Ham United celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal in a 4-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at London Stadium on April 10, 2026 in London, England. Nottingham Forest's Taiwo Awoniyi (9) scores his club's third goal in a 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on March 22, 2026. <p style=Brighton's Danny Welbeck celebrates scoring his team's opener against Liverpool on March 21, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool reacts during the Premier League match against Brighton on March 21, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Harry Maguire of Manchester United celebrates his side's second goal against AFC Bournemouth on March 21, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Arsenal's Viktor Gyoekeres and Declan Rice compete for the ball from a corner with Michael Keane of Everton at Emirates Stadium on March 14, 2026. Arsenal won the match, 2-0. Joe Gomez of Liverpool clashes with Joao Gomes of Wolverhampton Wanderers during the match at Molineux on March 3, 2026 in Wolverhampton, England. Wolves won the match, 2-1. Jaydee Canvot of Crystal Palace challenges Joshua Zirkzee of Manchester United during the match at Old Trafford on March 1, 2026 in Manchester, England. Manchester United won the match, 2-1. Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario cannot stop Arsenal's fourth team goal, which was scored by Viktor Gyokeres at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on Feb. 22, 2026. Arsenal won the match, 4-1. <p style=James Milner celebrates Brighton's win against Brentford on Feb. 21, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=West Ham United's Valentin Castellanos shoots against Chelsea on Jan. 31, 2026.
Chelsea won the match, 3-2.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope fumbles a cross leading to Ibrahima Konate scoring Liverpool's fourth goal in a 4-1 win at Anfield on Jan. 31, 2026. The Wolverhampton Wanderers' Jean-Ricner Bellegarde (right) and Bournemouth's Lewis Cook clash at the Molineux stadium on Jan. 31, 2026. Bournemouth won the match, 2-0. Martin Zubimendi of Arsenal heads the ball whilst under pressure from Casemiro of Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on Jan. 25, 2026 in London. Manchester United won the match, 3-2. Ezri Konsa of Aston Villa attempts to stop a goal scored by Everton's Thierno Barry at Villa Park on Jan. 18. Everton won the game, 1-0. <p style=Manchester United's Patrick Dorgu celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's second goal in a 2-0 win over Manchester City at Old Trafford on Jan. 17.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Fulham and Chelsea players battle for possession in front of goal at Craven Cottage on Jan. 7. Fulham won the match, 2-1. Callum Wilson of West Ham United competes with Mateus Mane of Wolverhampton for possession of the ball at Molineux on Jan. 3. Wolves won the match, 3-0. Jean-Philippe Mateta of Crystal Palace heads the ball during the Premier League match against Fulham at Selhurst Park on Jan. 1. The match ended in a 1-1 draw. <p style=Manchester City's Rayan Cherki celebrates after scoring his team's second goal against Nottingham Forest on Dec. 27.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Manchester United's Patrick Dorgu celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Newcastle on Dec. 26.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Everton's Michael Keane (left) battles with Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus for the ball during the match at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Dec. 20. Arsenal won the match, 1-0. Rico Henry of Brentford shoots past Ki-Jana Hoever of Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on Dec. 20. Brentford won the match, 2-0. Nico O'Reilly of Manchester City is tackled by Nathanial Clyne of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match at Selhurst Park on Dec. 14. Manchester City won the match, 3-0. Hugo Ekitike of Liverpool heads the ball to score his team's second goal against Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield on Dec. 13. Liverpool won the match, 2-0. Yeremy Pino of Crystal Palace battles for possession with Raul Jimenez of Fulham at Craven Cottage on Dec. 7. Crystal Palace won the match, 2-1. Richarlison of Tottenham Hotspur scores his team's first goal against Brentford at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Dec. 6. Tottenham won the match, 2-0. Emi Buendia of Aston Villa celebrates scoring his team's second goal in a 2-1 win over Arsenal at Villa Park on Dec. 6. Jack Grealish of Everton attempts to control the ball while under pressure from Nottingham Forest players at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Dec. 6. Everton won the match, 3-0. Bukayo Saka of Arsenal is challenged by Marc Cucurella of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Nov. 30. The match ended in a 1-1 draw. Crystal Palace hosts Manchester United at Selhurst Park on Nov. 30. Man U won the match, 2-1. Malick Thiaw of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal against Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Nov. 29. Newcastle won the match, 4-1. Leandro Trossard scores Arsenal's first goal in a 4-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on Nov. 23. Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez makes a save against Burnley at Turf Moor in Burnley on Nov. 22. Chelsea won the match, 2-0. Nikola Milenkovic of Nottingham Forest wins a header under pressure from Jayden Bogle of Leeds United at City Ground on Nov. 9. Nottingham Forest won the match, 3-1. Michael Keane of Everton scores his team's second goal during a 2-0 win over Fulham at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Nov. 8. <p style=Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch celebrates scoring his team's second goal in a 2-0 win over Aston Villa at Anfield on Nov. 1. The victory ended a four-game losing streak in Premier League games for the defending champions.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Arsenal's Ethan Nwaneri (right) and Burnley's Florentino Luis battle for possession of the ball at Turf Moor. Arsenal won the Nov. 1 match, 2-0, to stay six points above Manchester City atop the Premier League table.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Diego Gomez of Brighton & Hove Albion scores his team's second goal whilst under pressure from Lucas Perri of Leeds United at Amex Stadium on Nov. 1. Brighton prevailed, 3-0. Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher comes out to clear the ball against Liverpool at the Gtech Community Stadium in London on Oct. 25. Brentford won the match, 3-2, sending Liverpool to its fourth consecutive Premier League defeat. Wilson Isidor of Sunderland celebrates after scoring his team's first goal in a 2-1 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Oct. 25. Harry Maguire of Manchester United celebrates scoring his team's second goal in a 2-1 win over Liverpool at Anfield on Oct. 19. Andre of Wolverhampton Wanderers is challenged by Wilson Isidor of Sunderland during Sunderland's 2-0 win at Stadium of Light on Oct. 18, 2025 in Sunderland, England. Brenden Aaronson of Leeds United is challenged by Floretino Luis of Burnley during Burnley's 2-0 win at Turf Moor on Oct. 18, 2025 in Burnley, England. <p style=Erling Haaland of Manchester City competes for a header whilst under pressure from Sepp van den Berg and Kristoffer Ajer of Brentford at Gtech Community Stadium on Oct. 5, 2025. Man City won the match, 1-0.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea celebrates alongside Marc Cucurella and Jamie Gittens after Estevao Willian scored the winning goal in a 2-1 win against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Oct. 4, 2025. Ezri Konsa of Aston Villa and Lyle Foster of Burnley compete for the ball during the Premier League match at Villa Park on Oct. 5, 2025 in Birmingham, England. Aston Villa won the match, 2-1. Everton's Vitaliy Mykolenko (16) fouls West Ham United's Lucas Paqueta during the match at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sept. 29, 2025. Emiliano Buendia of Aston Villa celebrates scoring his team's third goal in a 3-1 win over Fulham at Villa Park on Sept. 28, 2025. Igor Thiago of Brentford scores his team's second goal past Altay Bayindir of Manchester United during a 3-1 win at Brentford Community Stadium on Sept. 27, 2025. Crystal Palace's Eddie Nketiah (9) scores their late winner during a 2-1 win over Liverpool at Selhurst Park in south London on Sept. 27, 2025. Erling Haaland tries to hold off Manchester United defender Leny Yoro. Arsenal's Martin Zubimendi celebrates scoring against Nottingham Forest. Tottenham players celebrate a goal against West Ham. Chelsea players celebrate a goal against Fulham. Bruno Fernandes celebrates after scoring a penalty against Burnley. Jean-Philippe Mateta of Crystal Palace celebrates scoring his team's first goal against Aston Villa. annibal Mejbri of Burnley celebrates the team's first goal against Sunderland at Turf Moor. Chelsea players celebrate a goal against West Ham. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reacts during a loss to Tottenham. Jurrien Timber of Arsenal scores his team's fourth goal against Leeds. Joao Palhinha of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates scoring his team's second goal against Manchester City. Diego Gomez of Brighton & Hove Albion reacts during the match against Fulham. Chris Wood of Nottingham Forest goes around goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher of Brentford. Cole Palmer controls the ball against Crystal Palace. Arsenal fans at the Emirates Stadium during a win against Leeds. Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo jumps over Wolverhampton Wanderers' Ki-Jana Hoever. Manchester City's Erling Haaland celebrates scoring against Wolverhampton. Arsenal's Mikel Merino and Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes vie for a header. Players, match officials and fans take part in a moment of silence as a fan mosaic depicting

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Arteta said that there would be late calls on Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori and Martin Ødegaard.

Arsenal comes into the match six points clear of Manchester City, which has a game in hand.

City coach Pep Guardiola has said of the title race: "If we lose [against Arsenal], it's over."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Bukayo Saka injury: Why is Arsenal star not playing vs. Man City?

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