Arsenal injury blow as Mikel Arteta confirms Bukayo Saka ruled out for ‘many weeks’

Arsenal have been dealt a major blow after Mikel Arteta confirmed Bukayo Saka is facing “many weeks” out with his hamstring injury.

Saka limped off in Saturday’s 5-1 win at Crystal Palace and left Selhurst Park on crutches.

Arteta admitted after the game he was “pretty worried” about the 24-year-old winger, who has now suffered three hamstring injuries this season.

And the Arsenal manager has confirmed Saka faces an extended period out.

Arteta has also confirmed Raheem Sterling will be out for “weeks” with a knee injury.

Speaking on Monday, Arteta said about Saka: “It’s not looking good. He’s gonna be out for many weeks. I cannot be too specific because I don’t know but it will be many weeks.

“It’s a huge one. He’s obviously a big player for us, you just have to see the impact that he has on the team.

“It’s going to be a really good exercise for us to think of ways to overcome another challenge because we’ve had a lot over the season.”

Saka has been in brilliant form this season and has five goals and 10 assists in the Premier League.

Arsenal face a crunch run of 10 matches between the end of January, in which they play Tottenham in the Premier League, Manchester United in the FA Cup, the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final and their final two Champions League group-stage matches.

The Gunners host Ipswich in the Premier League on Friday.

Saka first suffered a hamstring injury this season in October playing for England.

He was hit by another hamstring injury in November in a 1-1 draw at Chelsea and was forced to pull out of England duty, but returned for the win over Nottingham Forest after the international break.

Arsenal have also lost Sterling, who was signed on loan from Chelsea in the summer to provide cover and competition for Saka.

Asked about Sterling, Arteta said: “He’s going to be out for weeks I believe. He needs further testing tomorrow to understand the extent of his injury. It’s his knee.

“We have to wait and see another 24 hours. Unfortunately he’s gonna be out for a while.”