Saka To Miss Several Weeks With Hamstring Injury, Confirms Arteta.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Bukayo Saka will be sidelined for “many weeks” following a hamstring injury sustained during Saturday’s 5-1 victory over Crystal Palace.
The 23-year-old winger, who has been instrumental this season with nine goals and 13 assists in 24 appearances across all competitions, was forced to leave the pitch early at Selhurst Park and departed the stadium on crutches.
“It’s not looking good,” Arteta admitted. “He’s going to be out for many weeks. It is what it is. He’s injured, we cannot change it. We’re going to use this time now to help him.”
Arteta revealed that Arsenal are already working on plans to cope with Saka’s absence, drawing on their experience of dealing with injuries to key players, including captain Martin Ødegaard earlier in the season.
Asked whether Saka’s hamstring injury involved a tear, Arteta responded, “Yes. Probably there are ways to prevent the injury. There are a lot of factors. We are looking at everything and what we can do differently.”
Arteta also acknowledged the impact of the demanding schedule, noting that players like Declan Rice and Saka have played over 130 matches in just three seasons.
The Arsenal boss described Saka as “gutted” and “really emotional” after learning the extent of his injury. Despite the setback, Arteta remains focused on ensuring Saka receives the best possible care during his recovery.
In addition to Saka, Arteta confirmed that Raheem Sterling will also be out for several weeks after suffering a knee injury. “He needs some further testing tomorrow,” Arteta added, underscoring the mounting challenges facing Arsenal’s squad.
Arsenal’s next match is against Ipswich Town at the Emirates Stadium on 27 December, with kick-off scheduled for 20:15 GMT. The Gunners will be looking to maintain their strong form despite the absence of two key players.
