Arsenal’s Saka Out for ‘Many Weeks’ with Hamstring Injury

Manager Mikel Arteta says Arsenal striker Bukayo Saka will miss “many weeks” after injuring his hamstring in Saturday’s 5-1 Premier League triumph against Crystal Palace. Saka and several others will miss Friday’s league game against Ipswich Town at the Emirates, but Arteta hopes the 23-year-old can return to fitness before the season ends.

Saka has five league goals and 10 assists this season, helping Arsenal finish third. After being substituted in the 22nd minute against Crystal Palace, he departed the stadium on crutches.

The England international missed three Nations League games, Arsenal’s league loss at Bournemouth, and their Champions League win against Shakhtar Donetsk in October and November owing to the same leg issue.

“I’m not sure if it’s exactly the same (type),” Arteta told reporters Monday.

In the same leg. He suffered his third minor injury, which I don’t know how serious. He already had two.”

“It looks bad. His absence will last weeks… Much worse could have happened. Something else may have kept you out for a year.”

How will Arteta replace Saka? “I’m putting some ideas together but I haven’t got there yet.”

“Leandro Trossard can play there according on how that unit moves, as Gabriel Jesus and Ethan Nwaneri have. Kai (Havertz) could play. We’ll experiment and ask how they feel.”

Arteta also announced that winger Raheem Sterling will miss weeks with a knee injury.

“We didn’t expect Bukayo and Raheem’s predicament… We will open if necessary in the January transfer window. But now the focus is on unlocking this squad’s potential.”

The Spaniard said Saka’s injury was caused by various factors, including his game count. In two seasons, Bukayo and Declan Rice have played over 130 games. What will happen in the third and fourth? Continuing as is is likely unsustainable “Arteta advised.

“We must literally transform them into beasts. That they can handle anything.”