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Arsenal have suffered a significant injury blow with Bukayo Saka set for a spell on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring issue.
Saka was substituted just 24 minutes into the weekend win over Crystal Palace after sustaining the problem.
Manager Mikel Arteta suggested he was fearing a long lay-off after the 5-1 win and has now confirmed that the Arsenal star is set for “many weeks” out with a torn hamstring.
“It’s not looking good,” Arteta said of Saka’s injury ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Ipswich. “He’s going to be out for many weeks.
“It’s a huge blow but it’s going to be a big exercise for us to overcome another challenge. I’m very optimistic he’ll be back before the end of the season.
“[It’s] another part of the development of a player. At some stage at this level you’re going to get injured. Unfortunately, badly. It could have been much worse. It could have been something else that can take you out for a year.
“It is what it is. He’s injured, we cannot change it. We’re going to use this time now to help him.”
Arteta also confirmed that Saka has taken news of the lay-off badly but still thinks he can contribute while on the sidelines.
“He was gutted,” continued Arteta. “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. 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.”
Saka has been in sparkling recent form to keep Arsenal’s hopes of a title tilt alive. The London club trail Premier League leaders Liverpool by six points and have played a game more than Arne Slot’s side.
His absence comes at a particularly hectic time, too, with Saka likely to miss the Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle and FA Cup third round clash with Manchester United early in January.
The 23-year-old also seems set to be ruled out of the north London derby on 15 January.
Arteta also confirmed that Raheem Sterling, a potential alternative to Saka in the forward line, will miss a few weeks of action. The former England international injured himself in training ahead of the Crystal Palace game.
The twin injuries could prompt Arsenal to seek a new winger in the January transfer window, though Arteta would not be drawn on the matter.
“I don’t know,” Arteta replied when asked if he will look to sign an option out wide next month. “My intention right now is to get the best out of what we have. What is outside is not in our control.
“The preparation is done and we are ready if something happens. Obviously we didn’t predict a situation with Bukayo and Raheem at the same time. We predicted more that it would be if something happened in the defensive line.
“If something has to happen, we will be open. But the main focus is now and how we can extract a lot of potential from this squad.”
Source: independent.co.uk
