Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Bukayo Saka will be “out for several weeks” due to a hamstring injury.
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Saka out with a hamstring injury
Saka, 23, left Etihad Stadium on crutches following the Gunners’ 5-1 win at Crystal Palace last weekend.
Arsenal has suffered a significant setback following Saka’s injury diagnosis.
“It’s not looking good,” Areta said. “He’s going to be out for many weeks. I cannot be too specific because I don’t know, but it will be many weeks.”
“It’s a huge [blow]. He’s obviously a big player for us, you just have to see the impact that he has on the team. It’s going to be a really good exercise for us to think of ways to overcome another challenge because we’ve had a lot over the season.”
“I am putting some ideas together. I haven’t got there yet. But I have a few. Then I want to speak with the players as well to understand how we are going to generate that and take it in a positive way. Because that is going to mean we are going to be different.”
“He was gutted. You can tell that he has not been injured because he was really, really emotional and really down. And we need to lift him up. It is a big part of his job. And he will be fine but he is going to need a few days. He will immediately realise that he is so important in that dressing room.
“His energy level, his body language, and how he communicates with the rest of the team has to be really good because it is the only way at the moment he can help, so he better do that well.”
Arsenal’s injury blow
Saka has been a key player for Arteta, starting 16 out of Arsenal’s 17 Premier League matches.
The England international has registered nine goals and 13 assists in 24 games across all competitions
Meanwhile, Chelsea loanee and potential Saka replacement Raheem Sterling is also sidelined with a knee injury.
Arteta stated that he is open to entering the January transfer market to find a replacement for Saka if necessary.
“The preparation is done and we are ready if something happens. Obviously we didn’t predict a situation with Bukayo and Raheem out at the same time.
“We predicted more it would be something else, for example if something happened in the defensive line. But the job is done and, okay, if something has to happen, we will be open. But the main focus is now, how will we extract still a lot of potential that there is in this squad.”
