The Barcelona ploy Arsenal should copy to ensure Bukayo Saka does not suddenly become injury-prone now

Add as preferred source on Google

Bukayo Saka’s hamstring injury is a worry for Arsenal when looking at the present and the future.

Saka’s absence has hurt Mikel Arteta’s side across all competitions — with the Gunners drawing two league games and suffering eliminations from both the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup since the 23-year-old sustained his setback in a 5-1 demolition job of Crystal Palace in December.

But once Saka returns from injury in March, the concern at London Colney will be if he picks up more such knocks in the future.

Often, players recover from major injuries and all of a sudden, they find themselves frequenting the injury table time and again — with Abou Diaby and Jack Wilshere suffering such fates at the Emirates Stadium.

Bukayo Saka is arguably Arsenal’s most important player and while Mikel Arteta will be hoping that they can continue to perform when he is available, it is easier said than done to replace such key figures in any side.

Saka is a world-class player and for him to maintain such a status, the very least the Englishman will have to ensure is that he remains as durable as he has been so far in his career.

• READ MORE: Gabriel Martinelli shares how Arsenal’s attackers have reacted to Bukayo Saka injury right after Brentford win

Arsenal should imitate Barcelona’s Pedri injury plan for Bukayo Saka

Pedri, who burst onto the scene for Barcelona and Spain showed the world from a young age that he was a truly special player.

But the former Las Palmas midfielder’s career was hindered by injuries — missing 21, 20 and 28 games respectively in the last three seasons through a similar hamstring injury to Saka as well as muscle injuries.

But this season, Pedri has started 33 games in all competitions for Barcelona and when a player of the Spaniard’s standard is fit, it comes as no surprise that he is having a phenomenal campaign.

Where Arsenal must take a leap out of the Catalan giants’ book is appointing an internationally-renowned fitness coach like Julio Tous, who as Mundo Deportivo initially developed a fitness plan for the midfield maestro. A biopsy was undertaken of Pedri’s muscle fibres and sent to a laboratory in Baltimore, United States that conduct genetic muscular myopathies to gain an in-depth understanding of his muscles to gauge why the youngster was as prone as he was to injuries.

The studies concluded that it was key for Pedri to do strength exercises daily and alongside Julio Tous and Barcelona’s recovery specialist Raul Martinez, a fitness plan was catered towards the player at the end of last season that has aided his availability massively.

It could be argued that Saka, who suffered a massive hamstring scar is far more vital for this Arsenal side than Pedri is to Barcelona and as a result, the Gunners must take the same measure to ensure his latest injury is a one-off incident. If Saka’s long-term fitness is prioritised, he could develop into a fitter athlete capable of further elevating his game because it would be a crying shame if injuries stopped the revered winger in his tracks.

The worrying Saka stat that should be avoided to ensure he prevents future injuries

However, the responsibility of handling Saka’s fitness also lands on Mikel Arteta’s shoulders.

In August 2023, the Ealing-born forward became the first player in Arsenal history to play 83 consecutive games in the Premier League.

While Saka deserved credit for being as durable as well as dedicated as he was during this run, the constant workload would have had a toll on his body and it is worth adding that Arteta could rested him in some of the aforementioned fixtures.

Whether Arsenal decide to sign an understudy to the England international or simply decide to rest him more, measures have to be taken to give him more of a breather.

Ethan Nwaneri recently lauded Saka as his inspiration and perhaps he could be handed an increased role in the side to give him a rest once the latter is back on the pitch.

Otherwise, Arsenal could be gambling on their potential future captain’s future as well as their own as a club.