Bukayo Saka: Mikel Arteta says Arsenal winger sidelined for 'many weeks' after hamstring injury in Crystal Palace clash
Updated 23/12/2024 at 17:02 GMT
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Bukayo Saka will be absent for "many weeks" after he suffered a hamstring injury against Crystal Palace on Saturday. The winger was forced off after just 24 minutes as The Gunners went on to win 5-1. "It’s not looking good," Arteta revealed on Monday. "It’s a huge [blow], he’s a massive player for us."
Arteta confirms injured Saka out for 'many weeks' in 'huge blow' for Arsenal
Video credit: SNTV
Mikel Arteta has revealed that Bukayo Saka will be sidelined for "many weeks" after he suffered a hamstring injury in Arsenal's victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday.
The Gunners got their title race back on track in the Premier League with a thumping 5-1 win over Oliver Glasner's side at Selhurst Park, as the revitalised Gabriel Jesus grabbed his fourth and fifth goals of the week.
But it was not all good news for Arsenal, who lost Saka in the 24th minute when the England international reached for his hamstring after crossing the ball.
"It’s not looking good, he’s going to be out for many weeks," Arteta said when he gave an update in his press conference on Monday, ahead of their tie against Ipswich Town on Friday.
"I cannot be too specific because I do not know, but it’s going to be many weeks."
He continued to say: "It’s a huge [blow], he’s a massive player for us.
"You have to see the impact he has on this team, but it will be a good exercise for all of us to overcome another challenge, because we’ve had a lot in the season."
Arsenal lost captain Martin Odegaard for nearly two months earlier this season after he sustained an ankle injury, while defender Ben White has also been sidelined for a lengthy period.
With Saka absent, Raheem Sterling would be the obvious choice to replace him on the right-hand side, but he has also been ruled out for "weeks" with a knee problem suffered in training.
"He’s going to be out for weeks, I believe," Arteta said. "He needs some further testing.
"It’s his knee; we will have to see in 24 hours, but unfortunately, he is going to be out for a while."
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Arsenal have a jam-packed festive period ahead, which stretches into January where they play eight times across four competitions in the space of 27 days.
After a tricky run against Ipswich, Brentford and Brighton in the league, they face Newcastle United in the EFL Cup semi-final, then Manchester United in the FA Cup third round, before returning to league action for the north London derby against Spurs on January 15.
Unai Emery makes another return to Emirates Stadium three days later with Aston Villa, before The Gunners wrap up their UEFA Champions League campaign against Dinamo Zagreb and Girona towards the end of the month, with a trip to Wolves sandwiched in between.
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Video credit: SNTV
With such a busy schedule ahead and considering Saka and Sterling's absence, Arteta was asked if Arsenal would dip into the transfer market in January when the window opens.
"We’ll have to look internally at what we have and be creative," he said.
"Do a very good exercise again – how can we mould the squad and adapt to the circumstances? And be different. We cannot pretend to be the same; we have to be different and find the best way to do it, be competitive and win a lot of games.
"My intention right now is within the team and what we have, get the best out of that. What is outside is not in my control."
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