Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka, who was injured against Crystal Palace on Saturday, will be out for several weeks with a hamstring injury, manager Mikel Arteta has said.
Saka, who has scored nine goals and made 12 assists in 21 Premier League and Champions League appearances this season, was substituted in the 24th minute of the 5-1 win at Selhurst Park.
The England international missed two games in October with a hamstring problem but started all 21 of Arsenal's other games in Europe's top leagues.
“It could be worse” 🗣️
Mikel Arteta has revealed that Bukayo Saka will be out for several weeks. pic.twitter.com/GMTOQv4VbO
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 23 2024
Saka's injury: How long is he out?
“It doesn't look good,” Arteta said. “He's going to be out for several weeks. (It's) another part of a player's development. At this stage, any injury will happen.
“It could have been a lot worse. That might be something else that might take you a year. How do you respond to that? How to overcome that situation.
“It was also a great learning process for him. it is what it is. He is injured. We cannot change. We will use this time to help him.”
When asked if Saka was worried about not returning this season, Arteta said: “No. I'm very optimistic that he'll be back before the end of the season.”
Most assists by a Premier League player in all competitions this season:
32 – Mohamed Salah
22 – Bukayo Saka
19 – Erling Haaland📈 In a league of its own pic.twitter.com/DNbRFcc56a
– Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt). December 22 2024
Saka's statistics How will Arsenal replace him?
The 23-year-old is the third-most assists in the Premier League behind Chelsea's Cole Palmer with 17 goals and Liverpool's Mohamed Salah with 26 goals.
Arsenal academy graduate Saka is the eighth-highest of any player in Europe's top five leagues, just one ahead of Manchester City's Alan Haaland and Newcastle's Alexander Isek.
Asked how he would deal with Saka's absence, Arteta said: “I've put together some ideas. “I haven't arrived yet, But there are few.
“So I also want to talk to (the player), understand how to generate it and use it in a positive way, because that means we will be different.
“The period we went through with Martin (Odegaard absent, 10 games in the Premier League and Europe this season) and five or six defenders missing. We are taking it with positive energy.”
“If there was a perfect time for him to get injured, now would be it.”
Les Ferdinand says rest could benefit Bukayo Saka 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/bxA1HrudsN
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 22 2024
Premier League table
Arsenal are third in the table, six points adrift of leaders Liverpool, and have a draw with the Gunners.
They sit two points clear of fourth-placed Nottingham Forest and host second-bottom Ipswich Town on Friday (8.15pm GMT).