Bukayo Saka: Mikel Arteta announces that the Arsenal winger will be out for ‘several weeks’ due to a hamstring injury sustained during the match against Crystal Palace.

Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Bukayo Saka will be out of action for “many weeks” following a hamstring injury sustained during Arsenal’s emphatic 5-1 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday. The young England international was forced off in the 24th minute after appearing to pull up while delivering a cross, leaving the Gunners with a significant gap to fill in their attacking lineup.

While the win at Selhurst Park marked a much-needed boost in Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge, the loss of Saka is a bitter pill to swallow for Arteta and his squad. The manager provided an update during his press conference on Monday, ahead of their upcoming fixture against Ipswich Town. “It’s not looking good; he’s going to be out for many weeks,” Arteta stated. “I cannot be too specific because I do not know, but it’s going to be many weeks.”

Arteta acknowledged the impact of Saka’s absence, saying, “It’s a huge blow; 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’ve had a lot this season.”

Adding to Arsenal’s woes, Raheem Sterling, who would have been a natural replacement for Saka on the right flank, is also set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to a knee injury sustained in training. “He’s going to be out for weeks, I believe,” Arteta confirmed. “He needs some further testing. It’s his knee; we will have to see in 24 hours, but unfortunately, he is going to be out for a while.”

The Gunners face a demanding festive schedule, with eight matches across four competitions crammed into just 27 days. Following their clash with Ipswich, Arsenal will take on Brentford and Brighton in the league, before a crucial EFL Cup semi-final against Newcastle United. The FA Cup third round pits them against Manchester United, and they will then prepare for the north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur on January 15. Unai Emery’s Aston Villa will visit the Emirates three days later, before Arsenal concludes their UEFA Champions League campaign against Dinamo Zagreb and Girona, with a trip to Wolves sandwiched in between.

With such a packed calendar ahead and the absence of key players, Arteta was asked whether he would consider entering the transfer market in January. “We’ll have to look internally at what we have and be creative,” he replied. “We need to do a very good exercise again – how can we mould the squad and adapt to the circumstances? We cannot 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 to focus on the team and what we have, and to get the best out of that. What is outside is not in my control,” Arteta concluded, as he prepares his side for the challenges that lie ahead.