Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka faces a significant spell on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury during Saturday’s emphatic 5-1 Premier League victory over Crystal Palace. Manager Mikel Arteta confirmed that the 23-year-old is set to miss “many weeks” of action.
The injury occurred in the 22nd minute of the match, forcing Saka to leave the field and later depart the stadium on crutches. Arteta expressed his concerns, stating, “It’s a big loss for us. Bukayo has been instrumental in our success this season, and we’ll miss his contributions on the pitch.”
Saka’s absence means he will miss Friday’s home game against Ipswich Town at the Emirates Stadium, along with several other crucial fixtures. Arteta remains hopeful that the England international will recover before the end of the season, adding, “We’re working closely with the medical team to ensure he returns stronger. We have to manage his rehabilitation carefully.”
Having recorded five goals and ten assists in the league this season, Saka has been a key player in helping Arsenal climb to third place in the standings. His dynamic performances have not only energized the team but also captivated fans worldwide.
The hamstring injury is a recurrence of an issue that previously sidelined Saka in October and November. During that period, he missed three Nations League matches for England, Arsenal’s league defeat at Bournemouth, and their Champions League victory over Shakhtar Donetsk.
Arteta attributed the injury to a combination of factors, including the heavy workload on Saka. “It’s been a buildup of many reasons, especially the number of games he’s played,” Arteta explained. “We need to assess how we can better support him to prevent this from happening again.”
Saka’s injury presents a challenge for Arsenal as they navigate a congested fixture schedule. The team will need to rely on their squad depth to maintain momentum in both domestic and European competitions.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Arsenal adapts to this setback. The hope is that Saka will make a full recovery and return to the pitch with the same vigor that has made him one of the Premier League’s most exciting talents.
Reference(s):
Arsenal's Saka out for many weeks with hamstring injury, Arteta says
cgtn.com
