Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka has been ruled out for “many weeks” with a hamstring injury, manager Mikel Arteta has said.
Saka limped off in the 24th minute of Arsenal's game against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday and while the Gunners ran out 5-1 winners, the win was marred by a knock on the England winger, who left the stadium on crutches.
“It doesn't look good, he will be out for many more 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.”
Asked about the blow of losing Saka, Arteta replied: “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 have had a lot in the season.”
This is not the first hamstring injury Saka has suffered this season, he limped off while on England duty during the October international break and was sidelined for several weeks, missing Arsenal's 2-0 defeat by Bournemouth.
Sterling also dismissed – will Arsenal act in January?
Saka's loss was compounded by the injury sustained by Raheem Sterling in training last Friday.
Arteta confirmed that the on-loan Chelsea winger will also be out for some time.
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Saka was seen leaving Selhurst Park on crutches
“I believe he will be out for weeks,” added Arteta. “He needs further testing. It's his knee, we'll have to see in 24 hours, but unfortunately he'll be out for a while.”
With both of his two first-choice options on the right wing injured, Arteta was then asked if Arsenal would make a move in the January transfer window regarding the position.
“We will have to look internally at what we have and be creative,” he said. “Do a very good exercise again, how do we form a team and adapt to the circumstances?
“And let's be different. We can't 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, to get the best out of it. What is outside is not in my control.
“Nobody's wrong. Maybe you're right: someone could come in and score 40 goals. What we've got is what we've got and I'm happy with what we've got, they're trying their hardest to do everything we ask. We've got enough quality in the squad to do we use that?
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 is impeccable and Arteta regularly talks about how consistency and availability are his greatest attributes.
Since making his Premier League debut in 2019, Saka has never missed consecutive Premier League games due to injury. In the past two and a half seasons, Saka has missed just four league games.
Whenever he takes a hit, he bounces straight back – so Arteta's Arsenal lost a whole new territory by February.
That's a big blow considering how much Arsenal rely on Saka's work on the right. The Gunners attack down the right 46 per cent of the time – the highest percentage for a flank in the Premier League this season – partly due to Saka and Martin Odegaard moving to that side.
So how will Arsenal react, especially with Sterling – a player brought in as cover for Saka in the summer – also set for a spell on the sidelines?
The next player in line is Gabriel Martinelli, who replaced Saka at Crystal Palace on the right wing and joined the scorers. 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 term.
Gabriel Jesus is another right-wing option and Arteta has previously used a striker on the flank, but Arsenal's No.9 has just found form through the middle again. Now is not the time for Jesus to move again.
So what Arsenal have to work with now is a weakened right and left side that have not impressed this season. Time to step up people like Martinelli and Leandro Trossaro.
Arsenal's upcoming matches
Ipswich (H) – Premier League – Friday, December 27
Brentford (A) – Premier League – Wednesday, January 1
Brighton (A) – Premier League – Saturday 4 January, live Sky Sports
Newcastle (H) – Carabao Cup semi-final first leg – Tuesday 7 January, live Sky Sports
Man Utd (H) – Third round of the FA Cup – 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 25.01
Girona (A) – Premier League – Wednesday, January 29
Man City (H) – Premier League – Sunday 2 February, live Sky Sports
Newcastle (A) – Carabao Cup semi-final second leg – Wednesday, February 5, live Sky Sports