In a major setback for Premier League leaders Arsenal, star winger Bukayo Saka has been ruled out for “many weeks” with a hamstring injury according to manager Mikel Arteta. The 21-year-old England international limped off in the first half of Arsenal’s 5-1 victory over Crystal Palace on Monday after pulling up while attempting a cross.
Saka signaled to the bench and was replaced by Leandro Trossard before being spotted leaving Selhurst Park on crutches after the match. The extent of the injury will come as a bitter blow to the Gunners, who face a hectic run of fixtures over the festive period starting with an FA Cup third round tie against Ipswich Town on Friday.
Saka Integral to Arsenal’s Title Charge
The academy graduate has been in scintillating form this season, notching six goals and seven assists in 20 appearances across all competitions. His meteoric rise saw him cement a starting spot for England at the World Cup in Qatar, where he scored three goals as the Three Lions reached the quarterfinals.
Saka’s pace, trickery and end product have made him an indispensable part of an Arsenal attack that has fired the club to the top of the Premier League table. The Gunners currently hold a seven-point lead over defending champions Manchester City and are chasing their first league title since the 2003-04 “Invincibles” season.
Arteta Faces Reshuffle Headache
The injury to Saka will force Arteta into an attacking reshuffle ahead of a grueling run of four matches in ten days. January signing Trossard impressed off the bench against Palace and is the obvious candidate to fill in on the right flank, while Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah provide further options in the forward positions.
“It’s a big blow for us, especially with the packed schedule coming up. Bukayo has been outstanding for us and it will take a collective effort to replace his output, but we have quality and depth in the squad to cope.”
– Mikel Arteta on Saka’s injury
Road to Recovery Begins for Saka
For Saka, the focus now turns to rehabilitation as he faces a race against time to be fit for the business end of Arsenal’s title charge and England’s Euro 2024 qualifying campaign which begins in March. The flying winger has established himself as one of Europe’s most exciting young talents and his absence will be keenly felt both at club and international level.
- Key facts on Saka’s 2022-23 season so far:
- 20 appearances in all competitions
- 6 goals
- 7 assists
- 1065 minutes played
Arsenal will hope Saka can make a swift recovery and recapture his electrifying early season form to spearhead their quest for silverware on multiple fronts. For now though, Arteta must plot a path through the coming weeks without his star man as the hamstring injury puts Saka’s sensational campaign on hold.
