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Bukayo Saka played more games than Lionel Messi by 22, and Arsenal are paying for it

Arsenal head to Anfield on Sunday without Bukayo Saka, and it’s going to be a while before we see him again. The quad injury he…

Arsenal Insider

Published: Thursday, 29 October 2026 at 3:00 PM

Key Things to Know

Arsenal Insider argues Arsenal is suffering from overworking Bukayo Saka, who played more games than Lionel Messi by age 22.
Bukayo Saka will miss at least six weeks with a quad injury suffered against Bayern Munich.
Saka has missed 48 matches through injury since the beginning of the 2023-24 season.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Bukayo Saka faces at least six weeks on the sidelines due to a quad injury sustained against Bayern Munich, ruling him out of Arsenal's clash with Liverpool. The article argues that Arsenal and manager Mikel Arteta are paying the price for overusing the 25-year-old winger, who recorded 212 senior appearances by age 22, surpassing Lionel Messi's tally of 200 at the same age.

The writer highlights that Saka has missed 48 matches since the start of the 2023-24 season following years of heavy usage. Arsenal's squad depth is further scrutinized following the departures of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, leaving the club short of attacking options during Saka's absence.

Read the full article on Arsenal Insider

Bukayo Saka played more games than Lionel Messi by 22, and Arsenal are paying for it

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