EPL: Arsenal's Title Hopes Dented as Bukayo Saka Suffers Hamstring Injury

Bukayo Saka's injury woes continue as he faces an extended spell on the sidelines. Learn more about the Arsenal star's condition and the team's plans to cope without him.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Bukayo Saka will be sidelined for “many weeks” due to a hamstring injury sustained during the team's 5-1 Premier League win over Crystal Palace on Saturday. The 23-year-old winger, who has been instrumental in Arsenal's success this season with nine goals and 13 assists in 24 games, was forced off the pitch in the 24th minute and was later seen leaving the stadium on crutches.

Saka's absence will be deeply felt, especially considering his impressive performance this season. His injury is a significant blow to Arsenal's title aspirations, and Arteta acknowledges the impact of losing such a key player. However, Arteta remains hopeful that Saka will return to fitness before the season concludes, which would be a significant boost to the team's chances.

In the meantime, Arsenal will have to rely on other players to fill the void left by Saka's injury. The team has a busy schedule ahead, including a league game against Ipswich Town on Friday, and Arteta will need to find a way to compensate for Saka's absence. Possible replacements could include Gabriel Martinelli, who has already shown his versatility by playing on the right wing, or Leandro Trossard, who came on as a substitute for Saka during the Crystal Palace game.

Bukayo Saka has been instrumental in Arsenal's success this season, contributing five goals and 10 assists in the league, which has helped propel the team to third place in the standings. However, his participation in the remainder of the season has been dealt a significant blow due to a hamstring injury.

Saka's injury occurred in the 22nd minute of Arsenal's match against Crystal Palace, forcing him to leave the pitch. The severity of the injury was evident as he departed the stadium on crutches, sparking concerns about the duration of his absence. This is not Saka's first injury setback this season, having previously missed games for both Arsenal and England in October and November due to an issue with the same leg.

“I'm not sure if it's exactly the same (type),” Arteta told reporters on Monday.

“It is in the same leg. He had the third minor injury - I don’t know how big this is going to be. But he already had two.”

“It’s not looking good. He's going to be out for many weeks... It could have been much worse. It could have been something else that can take you out for a year.”

Mikel Arteta is still pondering how to replace the injured Bukayo Saka, admitting that he is exploring various options. When asked about his plans, Arteta said: “I'm putting some ideas together but I haven't got there yet.” He acknowledged that several players have the versatility to fill the void left by Saka's injury.

Arteta revealed that players like Gabriel Jesus, Ethan Nwaneri, and Leandro Trossard have experience playing in Saka's position and could potentially step in. He also mentioned Kai Havertz as another option, saying: “Gabriel (Jesus) and Ethan (Nwaneri) have played there, (Leandro) Trossard can play there in relation to how that unit moves. Kai (Havertz) could play there. We will see, try different things and ask how they feel about it.” Arteta will likely experiment with different combinations to find the best solution.

In addition to Saka's injury, Arteta also confirmed that winger Raheem Sterling has suffered a knee injury and will be out for “many weeks.” This double blow will test Arsenal's squad depth and Arteta's tactical flexibility as they navigate a crucial period in the season.

Mikel Arteta attributed Bukayo Saka's injury to a cumulative effect of various factors, including the high number of games he has played. The Spaniard expressed concern about the long-term sustainability of Saka's workload, saying: “Bukayo and Declan (Rice), they've played over 130 games in two seasons so what's going to happen in the third one, the fourth one? If it continues the same way, it's probably unsustainable.”

Arteta emphasized the need to find ways to enhance the physical resilience of his players, allowing them to cope with the demands of a packed schedule. He stated: “And we have to find ways to physically turn them into monsters. That they can cope with anything.” This approach reflects Arteta's commitment to ensuring the well-being and longevity of his players, while also maintaining the team's competitiveness.

“Bukayo and Declan (Rice), they've played over 130 games in two seasons so what's going to happen in the third one, the fourth one? If it continues the same way, it's probably unsustainable,” Arteta said.

“And we have to find ways to physically turn them into monsters. That they can cope with anything.”