According to a report by Football London on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, former Arsenal Director of High Performance Darren Burgess has discussed the possible reasons behind Bukayo Saka's latest injury, warning about the physical demands placed on young footballers.

Burgess examined the winger's recent fitness problems, explaining how excessive workload, previous injuries and the demands of professional football can increase the risk of soft-tissue injuries.

Saka picked up an injury during Arsenal's Champions League clash against Bayern Munich, forcing him to leave the field and raising fresh concerns about his fitness.

The 25-year-old has made more than 320 appearances for Arsenal since breaking into the first team. However, his latest injury problems have sparked renewed discussions about the number of matches he has played for both club and country.

Burgess, who previously worked at Arsenal under managers Arsène Wenger and Unai Emery, explained that decisions about whether an injured player should feature in a match are ultimately made by the manager in consultation with the footballer.

"Ultimately, the manager decides with the player," Burgess explained.

He noted that medical and performance teams can recommend leaving a player out if they believe there is a significant risk of aggravating an injury. However, the final decision can still be made by the manager and player if they both believe the footballer is capable of playing.

The former Arsenal performance chief also stressed the need for a strong relationship between managers and medical departments, explaining that trust and communication are essential when making decisions about players' fitness.

Speaking specifically about Saka's situation, Burgess expressed concern about the physical demands placed on young, explosive footballers, particularly those competing regularly in the Premier League.

He mentioned Raheem Sterling and Cesc Fàbregas while discussing how young players are increasingly exposed to heavy workloads and large numbers of competitive minutes.

"So I have a great fear for the young players of the game now if they're thrown in and mismanaged, particularly when they're playing in the Premier League, of which the intensity is just through the roof," he said.

Burgess admitted that he was not aware of the exact circumstances surrounding Saka's latest injury. However, he emphasised that players who rely heavily on explosive movements require careful management of their physical workload.

He also suggested that Saka's injury could have been developing before the Bayern Munich match, rather than necessarily being the result of fatigue during the encounter.