Bukayo Saka injury: Arsenal winger ruled out for ‘many weeks’ with hamstring strain in Crystal Palace win | football news

Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka has been ruled out for “many weeks” after tearing his hamstring.

Saka limped off in the 24th minute of Arsenal’s game at Crystal Palace on Saturday and while the Gunners won 5-1, the win was marred by injury to the England winger, who left the stadium with crutches

“He doesn’t look good, he will be out for many weeks,” Arteta told a press conference on Monday.

“I can’t be too specific because I don’t know, but it will be many weeks.

“He was wrecked. You can tell he’s not injured because he’s been very emotional and down and we’ve got to get him up. It’s part of his job, a big part of his job. He’ll be fine, but he needs a few days”.

Asked about the blow of losing Saka, Arteta replied: “He’s a great player, he’s a massive 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.”

It’s not the first hamstring injury Saka has suffered this season. He limped off while on England duty in October and was sidelined for a few weeks, missing Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat by Bournemouth.

Asked if Saka’s season could be over, Arteta said: “No. In football, with injuries you can’t put 10 fingers on it, but I’m very optimistic that he’ll be back well before the end of the season.”

Arsenal still beat Crystal Palace without Saka, with Gabriel Jesus scoring twice and Gabriel Martinelli – who moved to the right wing after Saka had fired – claiming a goal and an assist.

“Gabi (Jesus) played there (right), Ethan (Nwaneri) played there, Leo (Trossard) played there, Kai (Havertz) can play there, asking him to do different things. We’ll try to talk. a them too”, said Arteta.

“I’m gathering some ideas, I’m not there yet. But I have a few and then I want to talk to them to understand how we’re going to generate it and take it in a positive way. That’s going to mean we’re going to be different.”

Sterling also ruled out, so will Arsenal make a move in January?

Saka’s loss has been compounded by an injury suffered by Raheem Sterling in training

Arteta confirmed that the on-loan Chelsea winger will also be out for a while.

“I think he will be out for weeks,” added Arteta. “He needs more tests. It’s his knee, we’ll have to see in the next 24 hours, but unfortunately he’ll be out for a while.”

With both first-choice options at right wing injured, Arteta was asked if Arsenal will move in the January transfer window in terms of that position.

“We’re going to have to look internally at what we have and be creative,” he said. “A very good exercise again, how can we shape the squad and adapt to the circumstances?

“And 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.

“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 to do everything we ask. We’ve got enough quality in the squad. How do we use it? That’s something else

“The preparation is done, we are ready if something happens. We didn’t predict the situation with Bukayo and Raheem (being out) at the same time. At the same time, we predicted something else would happen in the defensive line, but the job is done.

“So, OK, if something has to happen, we’ll be open to that. But the main focus now is how do we have the structure still with potential in this squad?”

Analysis: How will Arsenal react without Saka?

Sky Sports’ Sam Blitz:

Saka’s injury is big news for Arsenal. The England winger’s injury record has been spotless and Arteta regularly talks about how consistency and availability are his main attributes.

Since making his Premier League debut in 2019, Saka has never missed consecutive Premier League games due to injury. In the last two-and-a-half seasons, Saka has missed just four top-flight games.

Whenever he’s been hit, he bounces straight back, so Arteta’s Arsenal losing him until February is new territory.

It’s a significant blow considering Arsenal’s reliance on Saka’s work down the right. The Gunners attack down the right 46 per cent of the time – the highest percentage for a Premier League wing this season – partly due to Saka and Martin Odegaard venturing to that side.

So how do Arsenal respond, especially with Sterling, the player who brought in Saka as cover over 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. The Brazilian also started on the right for Arsenal’s win over Everton on the final day of last season, the only game Saka missed all of last season.

Gabriel Jesús is another option on the right wing, with Arteta previously using the striker on the wing, but Arsenal’s No.9 has just found some form in the middle. Now is not the time to move Jesus again.

So what Arsenal need to work with now is a weakened right side and a left back who has not impressed this season. The time has come for Martinelli and Leandro Trossard to step up.

And there is the option of the January transfer window. Arsenal’s previous stance on the market was that they would only move if a long-term transfer target became available or injuries forced their hand. With Marcus Rashford looking for a new challenge, it could be a tempting option…

Upcoming Arsenal matches

Ipswich (H) – Premier League – Friday 27 December

Brentford (A) – Premier League – Wednesday 1 January

Brighton (A) – Premier League – Saturday January 4, live Sky Sports

Newcastle (H) – Carabao Cup semi-final first leg – Tuesday, January 7, live Sky Sports

Manchester United (H) – Third round of the FA Cup – Sunday 12 January

Tottenham (H) – Premier League – Wednesday 15 January

Aston Villa (H) – Premier League – Saturday 18 January, live on Sky Sports

Dinamo Zagreb (H) – Premier League – Wednesday 22 January

Wolves (A) – Premier League – Saturday 25 January

Girona (A) – Premier League – Wednesday 29 January

Man City (H) – Premier League – Sunday February 2, live Sky Sports

Newcastle (A) – Second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final – Wednesday 5 February, live Sky Sports