Bukayo Saka has finally lifted the lid on the gruelling battle he endured during his longest spell on the sidelines, and the unlikely furry friend who helped him through it. The Arsenal and England sensation, who has been one of the Premier League’s most consistent performers in recent years, saw the 2024-25 season torn apart by recurring hamstring issues that left him sidelined for months.

Hamstring hell for Saka

Saka first limped off in Arsenal’s 5-1 demolition of Crystal Palace in December 2024, a moment that sent alarm bells ringing across north London. It wasn’t his first setback either; Saka had already been forced to pull out of England duty in October, while another flare-up against Chelsea in November had ruled him out of the following international camp.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWorkload catches up with Saka

For years, Mikel Arteta has leaned heavily on his most trusted weapon. Saka had missed just seven league fixtures across three-and-a-half seasons, an astonishing level of durability in the modern game. But the relentless demand eventually came back to bite. Arteta himself admitted that the constant workload had taken a toll, with Saka breaking down three times in the space of one campaign. What followed was three long months out, a nightmare for a player who thrives on rhythm and consistency.

Enter the four-legged hero

But instead of wallowing in frustration, Saka found joy in an unlikely source: his new puppy. Speaking about his recovery, the winger revealed how becoming a first-time dog dad kept him grounded during one of the most challenging spells of his career.

Saka said: “I spent a lot of time with my family, with myself. I got a puppy as well, so he helped me keep my spirits high – he kept me busy as well. It was hard work at the start.”

That "hard work" turned out to be exactly what Saka needed. The endless walks, late-night attention and bursts of energy from his new companion gave him both structure and distraction away from the relentless frustration of injury rehab.

Getty Images SportBig tests ahead of Saka

Arsenal’s schedule shows no sign of easing up. After clashing with West Ham on Saturday, Arteta’s men will pause for the international break, before diving into a punishing run that includes Fulham and a mouth-watering Champions League showdown with Atletico Madrid. However, Saka will have little time to rest, as he has been called up by Thomas Tuchel for England's friendly against Wales at Wembley and a World Cup qualifier against Latvia on October 14.