Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Bukayo Saka will be sidelined for an extended period after suffering a hamstring injury in the team’s commanding 5-1 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday.
The 23-year-old England international sustained the injury during the match and was seen leaving Selhurst Park on crutches, dampening the mood after Gabriel Jesus’ hat-trick secured Arsenal’s progression to the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
As revealed by football writer Ed Aarons, Arteta expressed concern about Saka’s condition, stating, “It is not looking good. He will be out for many weeks. He felt something in his hamstring and couldn’t continue. He will have to be assessed, so I’m pretty worried about that one.”
While further tests are needed to determine the severity, Arteta admitted that it is difficult to provide a precise prognosis at this stage.
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Compounding Arsenal’s Injury Woes
Bukayo Saka’s absence adds to Arsenal’s injury concerns, with Arteta also revealing that Raheem Sterling, who joined the club this season, was injured just a day prior.
“We lost Raheem yesterday; we don’t know for how long as well. To lose two players in 24 hours is not good,” Arteta said.
The Arsenal manager attributed the spate of injuries to the demanding schedule, noting, “With the amount of games we’re playing every three days, it doesn’t surprise me, but the team will react to that.”
Challenges Ahead
Bukayo Saka’s absence will undoubtedly pose a challenge for Arsenal as they navigate a packed fixture list across domestic and European competitions.
However, Arteta remains optimistic that the squad has the depth and resilience to adapt to these setbacks.
