Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka has been sidelined for “several weeks” with a muscle injury, manager Mikel Arteta has said.
Saka limped off at Selhurst Park in the 24th minute of Arsenal’s game against Crystal Palace on Saturday, and while the Gunners ran out 5-1 winners, the victory was marred by a knock on the England winger, who left the stadium on crutches.
“It doesn’t look good, he’s going to be out for many weeks,” Arteta told a news conference on Monday.
“I can’t be too specific because I don’t know, but it will be many weeks.”
Answering the question about the blow of losing Saka, Arteta answered. “It’s huge, he’s a big 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 this season.”
This is not the first hamstring injury that Saka has suffered this season, he limped off for England during the international break in October and was sidelined for several weeks, missing Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat by Bournemouth.
Sterling also ruled out. Will Arsenal be active in January?
Sakha’s loss was compounded by an injury suffered by Raheem Sterling in training last Friday.
Arteta confirmed that the “Chelsea” winger will also be out for some time.
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Saka was seen leaving Selhurst Park on crutches
“I think he’s going to be out for weeks,” Arteta added. “It’s his knee, we’ll see in 24 hours, but unfortunately he’s going to be out for a while.”
Arteta then had injuries to both of his first-choice options at right-back, and was then asked if Arsenal would move for the position in the January transfer window.
“We have to look internally at what we have and be creative,” he said.
“And to be different. We can’t pretend to be the same, we have to be different and find the best way to be competitive and win a lot of games.
“My intention at the moment is to be inside the team and make the best of what we have. What’s outside is out of my control.
“No one is right. Maybe you are right. someone can come in and score 40. What we have is what we have and I am happy with what we have, they are fully trying to do everything we ask how we use the squad is another thing.”
Analysis: How will Arsenal react without Saka?
Sky Sports’ Sam Blitz.
Saka’s injury is big news for Arsenal. The England winger’s injury history has been unblemished and Arteta has regularly spoken of how consistency and availability are his biggest attributes.
Saka has never missed back-to-back Premier League games through injury since making his Premier League debut in 2019. Saka has missed four top-flight games in the past two-and-a-half seasons.
Every time he takes a shot, he comes straight back, so for Arteta’s Arsenal to lose him until February is a whole new territory.
That’s a big blow considering how much Arsenal rely on Sakha on the right wing, but the Gunners attack on the right 46 percent of the time, the highest percentage of any wing in the Premier League this season, partly because and Martin Odegaard stand for that side.
So how do Arsenal react, especially with Sterling, who was brought in as a defender in the summer for Sakha, also sidelined for some time?
Next in line is Gabriel Martinelli, who replaced Saka on the right wing at Crystal Palace and got on the scoresheet. The Brazilian also started on the right for Arsenal’s win over Everton on the final day of the season, the only game Saka missed all of last season. during.
Gabriel Jesus is another option for the right wing, Arteta used to use the striker on the wing, but Arsenal’s number 9 has just found form in the middle. Now is not the time to move Jesus again.
So what Arsenal have to work with now is a weakened right and left side that have failed to impress this season, and it’s time for the likes of Martinelli and Leandro Trossard to step up.
Arsenal’s upcoming matches
Ipswich (H) – Premier League – Friday, December 27
Brentford (A) – Premier League – Wednesday, January 1
Brighton (A) – Premier League – Saturday, January 4, live Sky Sports
Newcastle (H) – Carabao Cup semi-final first leg – Tuesday 7 January live Sky Sports
Manchester United (H) – FA Cup third round – Sunday, January 12
Tottenham (H) – Premier League – Wednesday, January 15
Aston Villa (H) – Premier League – Saturday 18 January, live on Sky Sports
Dinamo Zagreb (H) – Premier League – Wednesday, January 22
Wolves (A) – Premier League – Saturday, January 25
Girona (A) – Premier League – Wednesday, January 29
Man City (H) – Premier League – Sunday, February 2, live Sky Sports
Newcastle (A) – Carabao Cup semi-final second leg – Wednesday, February 5, live Sky Sports
