Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka will be out for several weeks due to a hamstring injury, coach Mikel Arteta said.
Saka went off injured in the 24th minute of Arsenal's match against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday, and while the Gunners went on to win 5-1, the victory was marred by a blow to the English winger, who left the field on crutches.
“It doesn't look good. He will be out for several weeks,” Arteta said in a press conference on Monday.
“I can't be too specific because I don't know but it will take several weeks.”
In response to a question about the blow of losing Saka, Arteta replied: “It is a huge blow, he is a big 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 gave a lot during the season.”
Saka left the Crystal Palace match due to a hamstring injury
This is not the first hamstring injury that Saka has suffered this season, as he limped off while in England during the international break in October and was sidelined for a few weeks, missing Arsenal's 2-0 loss to Bournemouth.
Asked whether Saka's season might end, Arteta said: “No. In football, with injuries, you can't put 10 fingers there, but I am very optimistic that he will return before the end of the season.”
Sterling has also been ruled out – will Arsenal make a move in January?
Saka's loss was exacerbated by the injury Raheem Sterling suffered in training last Friday.
Arteta confirmed that the loaned Chelsea winger will also be absent for a period.
Please use Chrome browser for an easily accessible video player
Saka was seen leaving Selhurst Park on crutches
Arteta added: “I think he will be out for weeks.” “He needs more tests. It's his knee, we'll have to see it in 24 hours but unfortunately he'll be out for a while.”
With both of his first-choice options on the right wing injured, Arteta was then asked if Arsenal would make a move in the January transfer window regarding that position.
“We have to look internally at what we have and be creative,” he said. “Have a very good training session again, how can we shape the team and adapt to the conditions?
“And be different. We can't pretend we're the same, we have to be different and find the best way to do it, and be able to compete and win a lot of games.
“My intention now is inside the team and what we have is to get the best out of that. What is external is not under my control.
“No one is right. Maybe you are right: someone can come and score 40 goals. What we have is what we have and I am happy with what we have. They are fully trying to do everything we ask. We have enough quality in the team.” Band How do we use it?
“The preparations have been made, and we are ready if something happens. We did not expect the situation with Bukayo and Raheem (out) at the same time. At the same time, we expected something more to happen in the back line, but the job was accomplished.
“Well, if something happens, we'll be open to it. But the main focus now is how do we maintain the structure with the potential in this team?”
Analysis: How will Arsenal react without Saka?
Sky Sports Sam Blitz:
Saka's injury is huge news for Arsenal. The England winger's injury history has been flawless, and Arteta regularly talks about what consistency and availability attributes he possesses.
Since making his Premier League debut in 2019, Saka has never missed consecutive Premier League matches due to injury. In the past two-and-a-half seasons, Saka has missed just four Premier League matches.
Whenever he takes a knock, he bounces straight back – so Arteta's Arsenal losing until February is entirely new territory.
It's a huge blow considering how reliant Arsenal are on Saka's work down the right flank. The Gunners attack down the right flank 46 per cent of the time – the highest percentage for a single winger in the Premier League this season – partly due to Saka and Martin Odegaard venturing down that flank.
So how will Arsenal react, especially with Sterling – a player brought in as cover for Saka over the summer – remaining on the bench for a spell?
The next player in line is Gabriel Martinelli, who replaced Saka at Crystal Palace on the right wing and is on the scoresheet. The Brazilian also started on the right side during Arsenal's win over Everton on the final day of last season, the only game Saka missed all of last season.
Gabriel Jesus is another right-wing option, with Arteta having used the striker on the wing before, but Arsenal's No.9 has just found some form in the middle again. Now is not the time to move Jesus again.
So what Arsenal need to work with now is a weak right side and a left side that has failed to impress this season. It is time for the likes of Martinelli and Leandro Trossard to step up.
Arsenal upcoming matches
Ipswich (h) – English Premier League – Friday, December 27
Brentford (A) – English Premier League – Wednesday, January 1
Brighton (A) – English Premier League – Saturday, January 4, live Sky Sports
Newcastle (home ground) – Carabao Cup semi-final first leg – Tuesday 7 January, live Sky Sports
Man United (home) – Third round of the FA Cup – Sunday, January 12
Tottenham (home) – English Premier League – Wednesday, January 15
Aston Villa (home) – English Premier League – Saturday, January 18, live on Sky Sports
Dinamo Zagreb (home) – English Premier League – Wednesday, January 22
Wolves (A) – English Premier League – Saturday, January 25
Girona (away) – English Premier League – Wednesday, January 29
Man City (h) – English Premier League – Sunday, February 2, live Sky Sports
Newcastle (away) – Carabao Cup semi-final second leg – Wednesday 5 February, live Sky Sports