During Arsenal’s emphatic 5-0 win over Leeds United on August 23, 2025, the celebrations were overshadowed by a potentially serious injury to Bukayo Saka. The young England international, who had just scored, went down clutching his hamstring shortly after. What made the moment more worrying wasn’t just the injury itself, but something Gary Neville pointed out while co-commentating live on Sky Sports.
Neville, observing closely as Saka hit the ground, mentioned that he could lip-read the winger saying, “Oh my God”—a reaction that immediately raised alarm bells. According to Neville, Saka is not the type of player who exaggerates pain or goes down easily, so for him to react that way and stay down suggested something significant had happened. Neville’s comment added to the anxiety already felt by Arsenal fans, especially given how crucial Saka is to both Arsenal and England.
Saka was subsequently taken off and replaced before halftime. Mikel Arteta, speaking after the match, confirmed that the winger had suffered a hamstring problem and that it would require further assessment through scans. Arteta described the injury as “significant,” though he didn’t offer a definitive timeframe for Saka’s return. The use of the word “significant” echoed Neville’s concern and has since sparked widespread speculation about the extent of the damage.
This injury comes at a critical time for Arsenal, with a huge fixture against Liverpool looming the following weekend. With both Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard taken off with injuries in the same match, Arsenal’s preparations for that clash have taken a massive hit. Saka, in particular, has been pivotal in Arsenal’s attacking output. His combination of pace, creativity, and goal-scoring ability has made him almost irreplaceable on the right wing.
If the injury turns out to be a Grade 2 or Grade 3 hamstring tear, Saka could be sidelined for several weeks—potentially missing Premier League, Champions League, and international matches. Such a blow could significantly affect Arsenal’s momentum in what has so far been a promising campaign. Arteta may have to turn to alternatives like Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli, or even give more minutes to young talents like Reiss Nelson or Amario Cozier-Duberry.
England manager Gareth Southgate will also be watching closely, as Saka is a guaranteed starter in his squad. With international fixtures scheduled for September, including qualifiers and friendlies, Southgate will hope the injury is not as bad as feared.
Ultimately, Gary Neville’s sharp eye and quick lip-reading added a human and emotional depth to what initially looked like just another unfortunate injury. Saka’s simple but telling words, “oh my God,” combined with Arteta’s cautious comments, paint a troubling picture. Arsenal and England supporters alike now await scan results, hoping the outcome isn’t as serious as it seems. For a player of Saka’s importance and form, even a short spell on the sidelines could have major implications.