Bukayo Saka, Arsenal’s crown jewel and England’s golden boy, has been told to look no further than Harry Kane for inspiration as he struggles to rediscover his blistering form following a series of hamstring injuries that have hampered his progress.
The 23-year-old winger, once Arsenal’s most dependable game-changer, has endured a frustrating 2025 filled with interruptions, setbacks, and lingering doubts. His initial injury came in December 2024 during a dazzling 5-1 win over Crystal Palace, forcing him into a lengthy spell on the sidelines. When he returned against Fulham in April, Arsenal fans breathed a sigh of relief—only for Saka to suffer another painful setback in August’s 5-0 victory over Leeds. That second blow sidelined him again, ruling him out of crucial matches against Liverpool, Nottingham Forest, and Athletic Club.
Now back on the pitch, Saka’s trademark explosiveness and end-product appear muted, sparking debate over whether he can still hit the heights that once made him the heartbeat of Arsenal’s attack. Injury specialist Ben Dinnery, however, has moved to ease fears, stressing that recovery is a process. “He needs more fluidity and rhythm to regain sharpness,” Dinnery explained. “This isn’t about him being a shadow of his former self—it’s about patience. Saka simply hasn’t had enough consistent minutes yet.”
To drive the point home, Dinnery cited Harry Kane as the perfect example. In 2020, the England captain tore his hamstring so badly that doubts swirled over whether he would ever return to his best. Instead, Kane responded by reinventing himself—culminating in a record-breaking move to Bayern Munich in 2023, where he has since shattered Bundesliga and Champions League records while scooping major individual honours.
“There’s nothing to suggest Saka won’t return to pre-injury levels,” Dinnery continued. “Plenty of players come back even stronger—Harry Kane is proof. Saka needs weeks, not days, to rediscover himself. With Noni Madueke also injured, he’ll be playing regularly, which should accelerate his recovery.”
For Arsenal, the timing is crucial. A Champions League showdown with Olympiacos looms on Wednesday night, followed swiftly by a fiery London derby against West Ham. Both games offer Saka the perfect platform to silence critics and re-establish himself as Arsenal’s game-changer.
Just like Kane once did, Saka has a chance to transform doubt into dominance.
