Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirms Bukayo Saka out for ‘many weeks’ with hamstring injury
Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka will miss “many weeks” after suffering a hamstring injury during Saturday’s 5-1 victory over Crystal Palace, confirmed manager Mikel Arteta. The England international was forced off the pitch and left Selhurst Park on crutches.
Saka, 23, has been in superb form this season, scoring nine goals and registering 13 assists in 24 appearances across all competitions. However, Arteta revealed that the injury is serious and that Saka’s absence will be a major blow to the team.
“It’s not looking good,” said Arteta. “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 added that he was working on strategies to cope without the influential winger, drawing on past experiences of managing key absences, such as the injury to captain Martin Ødegaard earlier in the season.
When asked if Saka had “torn” his hamstring, Arteta confirmed, “Yes,” and acknowledged that while injury prevention is always a focus, the physical demands on players like Saka, who have played over 130 games in the last three seasons, have contributed to the issue.
Saka, who made his Arsenal debut in November 2018, has played 250 games for the club, scoring 67 goals and providing 63 assists. Arteta revealed the winger was “gutted” and “really emotional” upon learning the extent of his injury.
The Gunners also face another setback with Raheem Sterling, who is set for a spell on the sidelines due to a knee injury. Arteta confirmed Sterling would be out for “weeks” and would undergo further testing.
Arsenal’s next match is against Ipswich at the Emirates on 27 December (20:15 GMT).
