BUKAYO SAKA will be sidelined for “many weeks” after he was forced off through injury, Mikel Arteta has confirmed.
Saka was subbed off in the 24th minute of Arsenal’s 5-1 win at Crystal Palace on Saturday with a muscle injury.
The Arsenal ace, 23, was spotted walking on crutches following the game.
And the Gunners have now been handed a nightmare update on his fitness going into the new year.
Speaking to reporters, Arteta said: “It’s not looking good.
“He’s going to be out for many weeks.
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“It’s a huge blow, but it’s going to be a big exercise for us to overcome another challenge.”
Saka’s appearance against Palace saw him celebrate his 250th appearance for the North London club.
Asked whether there was a fear the winger might not play again this season, Arteta answered with a definitive: “No.”
He added: “I would be very optimistic that he will be well again well before the end of the season.”
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Arteta was also quizzed on Saka’s mentality in making his comeback following his injury, given how much he has played so far in his career.
The Spaniard said: “Another part of player development is that at some stage at this level you’re going to get injured, unfortunately badly.
“He could have been much worse or [it could have] been something else.
“It’s how you react to that and overcome that situation and it is a great learning process for him.
“It is what it is, he is injured we cannot change it but we are going to use this time to help him for the following years in his career.”
Saka has played an incredible 144 games for Arsenal and England since August 2022.
Arteta has also revealed that Raheem Sterling will be sidelined for “weeks” as well.
He said: “Raheem Sterling will also be out for weeks. He’s suffered an injury, it’s his knee.
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“He will be assessed again in the next days to understand how long he will be out.”
Arsenal’s next game sees them host Ipswich on Friday evening.
Arsenal ratings vs Palace as Gunners stuff Eagles at Christmas with Gabriel Jesus reborn
GABRIEL JESUS produced his first Premier League goals since January on a day he could have had a hat-trick to continue his good form.
Gabriel Martinelli impressed and got on the scoresheet but Arsenal did suffer a blow in the first half as Bukayo Saka limped off with injury, while William Saliba had a rare off day.
Here is how SunSport’s Martin Lipton rated the Gunners display at Selhurst Park.
David Raya – 8
Lucky to escape a “Fraser Forster” moment as he played Thomas Partey into all sorts of problems early on before he was beaten by Sarr’s curler soon afterwards.
But then bailed out Gabriel to foil Mateta when he seemed certain to equalise once again and made more key saves from Sarr and Mateta at the start of the second half. Often there at the biggest moments.
Jurrien Timber – 6
Dutch defender looked slightly uncomfortable at times on the right as he gave Palace far too much attacking leeway.
Booked for taking an age and a half over a throw-in as well although it was not a costly one.
William Saliba – 5
All over the place in the first half as he seemed determined to open the door to the home side.
Saliba stood off Sarr and paid the price as Palace levelled and then made another blunder only for Raya to save from Mateta. Not exactly a dominant performance.
Gabriel – 6
Saliba’s wobbles meant his partner-in-chief had to stand up and be counted more than normal but he was not at his best either and a booking after half an hour had him walking a tightrope.
More of the same after the break. Fortunately Palace’s defensive deficiencies took the sting out of their attacking armoury too.
Myles Lewis-Skelly – 7
Youngster is grabbing his unexpected opportunity to make a first-team impact with an understanding of the inverted nature of the Arsenal full-back role.
By some distance the best of the four defenders in the Arsenal back division.
Thomas Partey – 7
Asked to take care of the defensive midfield task but soon to the fore with the lay-off that allowed Jesus to put the Gunners back in front inside the first 14 minutes.
Did what was needed defensively and willing to venture forward when the opportunity was there. Solid throughout.
Martin Odegaard – 8
When the Norwegian turns up, Arsenal turn up.
At Selhurst, Odegaard was the orchestrator in chief from the start, dropping deep to pick up possession and then keeping it simple and effective. The skipper is a leader.
Kai Havertz – 8
Back in midfield having played most of the season up top but he was in the perfect centre-forward’s position to tap into the empty net when Jesus’ header came back off the post.
Home hands went up but there were only the five Palace defenders playing the German onside. A tidy display on the ball but did leave his side slightly open defensively.
Bukayo Saka – 7
The early loss of the England winger to a worrying knee injury could be a major blow to Arsenal’s title chances.
Always the out-ball, Saka had signalled his ongoing threat as he made space to deliver the cross that led to Jesus’ early opener. He could be missing for a while now.
Gabriel Jesus – 9
Midweek hat-trick against Glasner’s men earned him only fourth Prem start of the season and how he took the chance with the early double and another effort off the post that led to a simple Havertz goal.
The Brazilian had been waiting more than 10 months for a top flight goal and got two in eight minutes. One against the woodwork and another missed sitter, too. He must want to play Palace every week.
Gabriel Martinelli – 8
Took the corner that led to Jesus’ second but then switched to the right flank after Saka limped away and supplied the cross which ended with Havertz making it three before netting himself from close range.
Arteta will need that level of return from the Brazilian over the coming weeks if this title challenge is going to be a real one.
Subs:
Leandro Trossard (for Saka, 25) – 6
Belgian will have to step up if Saka is out for a long spell after his injury and his low cross ended up bringing the Arsenal fourth.
Declan Rice (for Havertz, 58) – 8
England star came on to secure the game after Arsenal’s sloppy start to the second half and set up Martinelli with his first touch before steering home the fifth.
Riccardo Calafiori (for Lewis-Skelly, 58) – 6
Martinelli’s strike meant the game was over before the Italian had touched the ball. That makes it easier.
Ethan Nwaneri (for Gabriel Jesus 86) N/A
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
