Bukayo Saka Set to Miss Weeks with Hamstring Injury

Bukayo Saka will miss “many weeks” due to a hamstring injury, confirmed Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. The 23-year-old injured himself during Arsenal’s 5-1 victory over Crystal Palace and left the stadium on crutches. Saka has been in outstanding form this season, scoring nine goals and providing 13 assists across 24 matches in all competitions. Arteta acknowledged the severity of the injury, stating, “It’s not looking good. He’s going to be out for many weeks.”

The manager also revealed that Saka felt “gutted” and “really emotional” after learning the extent of his injury. Arteta said the club would now focus on helping Saka recover and explore ways to prevent similar injuries in the future. He also pointed out that the congested fixture schedule with players like Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice having played over 130 matches in the past three seasons, might have contributed to the injury.

In Saka’s absence, Arteta is looking for solutions within the squad. Gabriel Martinelli, who replaced Saka against Crystal Palace, is expected to take on the right-wing role for now. Arteta acknowledged that while they will explore internal options, Arsenal may also look to strengthen in the upcoming January transfer window which could be pivotal for the club’s Premier League title race.

Saka’s importance to Arsenal is undeniable. Since his debut in 2018, he has made 250 appearances, scoring 67 goals and providing 63 assists. His absence creates a significant gap as Saka has played a central role in Arsenal’s attacking play, contributing to 16.1% of their goals this season. While the team has a solid record in games without him, it faces a tough challenge in maintaining momentum during his absence.