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Why Is Bukayo Saka Not Playing Tonight for Arsenal vs Sporting CP?

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Emmanuel Mendez | Last updated Apr 7, 2026 2:46 PM ET

Arsenal will play against Sporting CP over two legs in the Champions League quarterfinal.

Tonight, Arsenal will play the first leg against Sporting CP away from home at the Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon, Portugal.

Arsenal will look to bounce back from two consecutive losses, one against Manchester City in the EFL Cup Final and one in the FA Cup quarter-final against Southampton over the weekend.

Arsenal will be without Bukayo Saka for tonight's match, and it will be the second game in a row where the English right winger will be out. His last appearance was against Manchester City in the EFL Cup Final.

Bukayo Saka of Arsenal runs with the ball during the Carabao Cup Final match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on March 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Bukayo Saka missed the last game due to an injury, and the player has not fully recovered, according to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.

Bukayo Saka Injury Update

Ahead of the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinal between Arsenal and Sporting CP, Mikel Arteta was asked whether Bukayo Saka would be available for the match.

Arteta confirmed that Saka and Jurrien Timber will be out for the first leg against Sporting tonight in Lisbon, Portugal.

Arteta said, "No, they're having trouble, they're not ready yet. Let's see, hopefully they're going to be ready for the weekend, if everything goes well, and that's a massive boost because in recent days we've lost so many important players, and that's something that we need to change immediately."

Saka is reportedly set to return this weekend against Bournemouth in the Premier League. Arteta is hopeful to have more returns for the seocnd leg next week at the Emirates Stadium.

Arteta said, "I hope we can recover some players we are missing."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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