Arsenal star Bukayo Saka could be out of action until March after suffering a hamstring injury in the Gunners’ final game before Christmas, it has been claimed.
England forward Saka received treatment on the pitch during the first half of Saturday’s win at Crystal Palace, but was unable to continue. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed on Monday that the 23-year-old will be missing for “many weeks,” though an exact timeframe wasn’t provided by the Spaniard.
If Saka is unable to return before February, that would mean he misses 10 games for his club. The January fixtures include the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle and a North London Derby against Tottenham in the league, as well as Arsenal’s final league phase matches in the Champions League.
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Optimists have pointed to the early February clash with Manchester City as a potential return date, with Arsenal looking to stay in touch with league leaders Liverpool during the intervening period. Hamstring injuries vary when it comes to time on the sidelines, though, and it has now emerged that Saka’s absence could last even longer.
Arsenal will step up their investigations into Saka’s injury amid fears it could be a hamstring tear. The academy graduate has already missed a month this term with an injury sustained on England duty in October, but there are said to be fears the latest issue could keep him out even longer.
Arsenal used Gabriel Martinelli on the right after Saka went off against Palace, and Arteta suggested he is considering a number of options. Another potential deputy is Raheem Sterling, though the on-loan Chelsea man is currently out of action with an injury of his own.
“He needs some further testing tomorrow to understand the extent of the injury,” Arteta said of Sterling. “It’s his knee and we have to wait another 24 hours, but unfortunately he’s going to be out for a while.”
