Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka has been ruled out for “many weeks” after tearing his hamstring.
Saka limped off in the 24th minute of Arsenal's match against Crystal Palace on Saturday and while the Gunners won 5-1, the victory was marred by the injury of the England winger, who left the stadium on crutches.
“It doesn't look good, he will be out for many weeks,” Mikel Arteta said at a press conference on Monday.
“I can't be too specific because I don't know, but it will take many weeks.
“He was devastated. You can tell he wasn't hurt because he's been very emotional and down and we have to lift him up. It's part of his job, a big part of his job. He'll be fine, but he needs a few days.”
Asked about the blow of losing Saka, Arteta said: “It's a huge blow, he's a huge player for us.
“You have to see the impact he has on this team, but it will be a good exercise for all of us to overcome another challenge because we have had a lot this season.”
It is not the first hamstring injury that Saka has suffered this season. He limped off during England duty in October and was sidelined for a few weeks, missing Arsenal's 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth.
Asked if Saka's season could be over, Arteta said: “No. In football you can't place ten fingers with injuries, but I am very optimistic that he will be back well before the end of the season.”
Arsenal still beat Crystal Palace without Saka, with Gabriel Jesus scoring twice and Gabriel Martinelli – who moved to the right wing after Saka left – claiming a goal and an assist.
“Gabi [Jesus] played there [on the right]Ethan [Nwaneri] played there, Leo [Trossard] played there, Kai [Havertz] can play there and ask him to do different things. We will also try to talk to them,” said Arteta.
“I'm putting together some ideas, I'm not there yet. But I have a few and then I want to talk to them to understand how we're going to generate that and address it in a positive way. means we will be different.”
Sterling also ruled out – so will Arsenal be in action in January?
The loss of Saka is further compounded by an injury suffered by Raheem Sterling in training.
Arteta confirmed that the on-loan Chelsea winger will also be absent for some time.
“He will be out for weeks, I believe,” Arteta added. “He needs further testing. It's his knee, we'll have to see in 24 hours, but unfortunately he'll be out for a while.”
With both of his first options at right wing injured, Arteta was then asked whether Arsenal would move in relation to that position in the January transfer window.
“We're going to have to look internally at what we have and be creative,” he said. “Another very good exercise, how can we shape the team and adapt to the circumstances?
“And be different. We can't pretend to be the same, we have to be different and find the best way to do that, be competitive and win a lot of matches.
“My intention at the moment is within the team and what we have: to get the best out of it.
“Maybe you're right, someone could come in and score 40 goals. What we have is what we have and I'm happy with what we have, they are fully trying to do everything we demand. We have enough quality in the squad .How we use it? That's different.
“The preparation is done, we are ready if anything happens. We did not predict the situation with Bukayo and Raheem [being out] at the same time. At the same time, we predicted that more would happen in the defensive line, but the job is done.
“Okay, if something needs to be done, we are open to it. But the main focus now is: how do we get the structure still with the potential in this squad?”
Analysis: How will Arsenal react without Saka?
Sam Blitz from Sky Sports:
Saka's injury is big news for Arsenal. The England winger's injury history has been impeccable and Arteta regularly speaks about how consistency and availability are his greatest attributes.
Since making his Premier League debut in 2019, Saka has never missed back-to-back Premier League games due to injury. In the past two and a half seasons, Saka has only missed four top-flight games.
Every time he takes a blow he bounces straight back, so if Arteta's Arsenal lose him until February it will be brand new territory.
It's a big blow considering how much Arsenal rely on Saka's work on the right. The Gunners attack from the right 46 percent of the time – it is the highest percentage for a single flank in the Premier League this season – partly because Saka and Martin Odegaard venture to that side.
How will Arsenal react, especially now that Sterling – the player who was used as cover for Saka last summer – will also be on the sidelines for a while?
The next player in line is Gabriel Martinelli, who replaced Saka on the right wing at Crystal Palace. The Brazilian also started on the right in Arsenal's victory over Everton on the final day of last season, the only match Saka missed all of last season.
Gabriel Jesus is another option for the right wing, with Arteta previously using the striker on the wing, but Arsenal's number 9 has just found some form in the middle again. This is not the time to move Jesus again.
So what Arsenal now have to work with is a weakened right side and a left side that has failed to impress this season. It's time for Martinelli and Leandro Trossard to step up.
And there's the option of the January transfer window. Arsenal's previous position on the market was that they would only move if a long-term transfer target became available – or if injuries forced them to do so. With Marcus Rashford looking for a new challenge, it could be a tempting option…
Arsenal's upcoming matches
Ipswich (H) – Premier League – Friday 27 December
Brentford (A) – Premier League – Wednesday 1 January
Brighton (A) – Premier League – Saturday January 4, live on Sky Sports
Newcastle (H) – Carabao Cup semi-final first leg – Tuesday 7 January, live on Sky Sports
Man Utd (H) – FA Cup Third Round – Sunday 12 January
Tottenham (H) – Premier League – Wednesday January 15
Aston Villa (H) – Premier League – Saturday January 18, live on Sky Sports
Dinamo Zagreb (H) – Premier League – Wednesday, January 22
Wolves (A) – Premier League – Saturday January 25
Girona (A) – Premier League – Wednesday January 29
Man City (H) – Premier League – Sunday 2 February, live on Sky Sports
Newcastle (A) – Carabao Cup semi-final second leg – Wednesday 5 February, live on Sky Sports
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