Arsenal and England winger Bukayo Saka faces a prolonged spell on the sidelines after suffering an injury during Arsenal’s Premier League victory over Crystal Palace. Manager Mikel Arteta has offered an update on the situation, confirming that the star player will be unavailable for “many weeks.”
Saka was substituted in the first half of the match at Selhurst Park. Despite his early exit, Arsenal secured an emphatic 5-1 victory, but Arteta acknowledged the challenge of coping without the influential attacker during a demanding stretch of fixtures.
“It’s not looking good; he’s going to be out for many weeks,” Arteta told reporters post-match. When discussing how the team will adapt, he added, “I’m brainstorming a few ideas. I haven’t finalized anything yet, but I’ve got some plans.
“I’ll also involve the players in this process and approach it positively,” the Spaniard continued. “This will bring changes to our dynamic. We’ve dealt with absences before, such as when Martin [Odegaard] was out or when we missed multiple defenders. We’ll take on this challenge with a constructive attitude.”
Adding to the injury concerns, Arsenal were also without loanee Raheem Sterling during the Crystal Palace clash. “Raheem was ruled out the day before the game, and we’re unsure about the timeline for his return,” Arteta said. “Losing two key players within 24 hours is a setback, but given the intense schedule, it’s not entirely unexpected.”
The Gunners face a packed calendar, starting with a home match against Ipswich Town on December 27. This will be followed by away games against Brentford and Brighton to kick off the new year.
Arsenal’s squad has endured a string of injury setbacks this season. Captain Martin Odegaard was sidelined for two months after sustaining an ankle injury during international duty in September. His return has coincided with an unbeaten run in seven league games, as well as Arsenal’s progression to the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
The defensive unit has also been hit hard by injuries. Takehiro Tomiyasu has managed just one appearance this season, while Ben White has been out of action for over six weeks and remains unavailable. White underwent surgery to address recurring issues earlier in the season, with Arteta confirming in November that his recovery would take several months.
“Ben’s injuries have been varied, and there hasn’t been consistent improvement,” Arteta explained. “We reached a point where prioritizing his long-term health became necessary.”
As Arsenal navigate these challenges, Arteta’s focus remains on maintaining the team’s momentum and finding effective solutions to keep their campaign on track across all competitions.
