Bukayo Saka is set to miss 'many weeks' of action after picking up an injury during the weekend win over Crystal Palace, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has confirmed.
The Gunners cruised to a comfortable 5-1 victory away to Palace on Saturday, but the capital club were rocked midway through the first half when Saka hobbled off.
Worries about the England international were heightened after full-time when Saka was spotted limping out of the stadium on crutches.
Arteta revealed after the Selhurst Park contest that he was 'worried' about Saka, with the forward having 'felt something' in his hamstring.
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But it doesn't look like there's going to be a Christmas miracle for Arteta, as the Spaniard admitted on Monday afternoon that Saka is expected to miss a number of weeks with the hamstring problem.
Speaking ahead of Arsenal's clash with Ipswich Town on Friday, Arteta said: "It is not looking good. He is going to be out for many weeks."
When asked how he intends to cope without their biggest attacking threat, he added: "I’m putting some ideas together. I haven’t got there yet but I have a few. I want to speak with them as well and take it in a positive way.
"It means we’re going to be different. We went through the period with Martin [Odegaard] and the period with five, six defenders missing. We’re looking at it with positive energy."
And on Saka himself, Arteta said: "He was gutted. You could tell that he hasn’t been injured because he was really emotional and really down. He will be fine but I think he’s going to need a few days.
"He’s going to immediately realise that he’s really important in that dressing room. His body language is the only way he can help so he had better do that."
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One of the options Arteta might've turned to is Raheem Sterling, but just like his compatriot, the Chelsea loanee is also looking at a period of time in the treatment room.
Arteta stated: "He’s gonna be out for weeks. He needs further testing tomorrow to understand the extent of his injury. It’s his knee."
Arsenal got their title challenge back on track with the Palace win, but still sit six points behind leaders Liverpool, who boast a game in hand over their competitors.
The Emirates Stadium outfit will be expected to take three points when they welcome strugglers Ipswich to north London on Friday night.
