London: Arsenal's pursuit of ending their Premier League title drought has encountered a significant hurdle, as manager Mikel Arteta announced that star winger Bukayo Saka will be sidelined for "many weeks" due to a hamstring injury.
Saka exited the match in the 23rd minute during last Saturday's game against Crystal Palace. Although Arsenal secured a 5-1 victory at Selhurst Park, the win was overshadowed by Saka's departure on crutches.
"It's not looking promising. He will be out for several weeks. I can't provide a precise timeline because I don't have that information, but it will be an extended period. His influence on the team is substantial, but this will serve as an opportunity for us to tackle another challenge, as we've faced many this season," Arteta stated during a press conference on Monday, as reported by Sky Sports.
This injury is not Saka's first setback this season. While playing for England in October, he also had to leave the field early, which resulted in him missing Arsenal's 2-0 loss to Bournemouth.
Arsenal's injury woes extend beyond Saka, as Raheem Sterling, currently on loan from Chelsea, is also unavailable. He picked up a knee injury during a training session last Friday.
Arteta confirmed that Sterling will be out for several weeks as well, pending further evaluation. "He will be sidelined for weeks, I believe. We need to conduct additional tests. It's his knee, and we will have more clarity in 24 hours," he remarked.
With the squad's wing options dwindling, Arsenal may consider bringing in additional players during the January transfer window.
Addressing this potential move, Arteta said, "We will need to assess our internal resources and think creatively. It’s essential to adapt our squad to the current situation and find new ways to remain competitive and secure victories."
"My primary focus is on maximizing the potential of the current team. What lies outside our control is not my concern," he concluded.
