- Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka has broken his silence on his hamstring injury
- Saka could be out for more than two months, Mikel Arteta has revealed
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! New formation, some new faces, but the optimism has gone at Old Trafford
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka has broken his silence on his injury after undergoing surgery on his hamstring.
The winger could be out for more than two months, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta revealed.
Saka had to be substituted after suffering the injury during the first half of Arsenal’s 5-1 win away to Crystal Palace in the Premier League on December 21.
The Gunners beat Ipswich 1-0 at home in their first match since Saka’s injury but there are concerns about the team’s attacking depth in his absence.
Being without Saka for a prolonged period will inevitably be a blow for Arsenal – he has contributed with nine goals and 13 assists this season across all competitions.
Saka posted a picture of himself on Instagram following surgery and vowed to come back stronger.
Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka has broken his silence on his injury after surgery on his hamstring
Saka suffered the injury during Arsenal’s victory away to Crystal Palace on December 21
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta revealed that Saka could be out for more than two months
He wrote: ‘The majority see obstacles, but few see the opportunities. Recovery has begun and I’m coming back stronger!’
‘Thank you all for your messages.’
Asked for the latest on Saka’s fitness after the win against Ipswich, Arteta said: ‘I would prefer to leave that with the doctor but I can confirm he (Saka) had a procedure and he will be out for many, many weeks.
‘I think it will be more than two months, I don’t know exactly how much.’
Pressed on a timescale for Saka’s recovery, the Spaniard said: ‘I think it will be more than two months. I don’t know exactly how much.’
Kai Havertz, who scored the only goal against Ipswich, stated that the whole team will need to step up while Saka is out.
Havertz told Amazon Prime: ‘Everyone has to step up because we know Bukayo Saka is a very important player for us. But we have to adapt. I try to help the team, it was a different role for me today.’
Gabriel Martinelli started on the right wing for Arsenal against Ipswich, with Raheem Sterling also currently unavailable due to injury.
Kai Havertz says the whole Arsenal team needs to step up while Saka is unvailable
Arsenal’s lack of attacking depth was emphasised by the fact that 17-year-old midfielder Ethan Nwaneri was their only attacking option on the bench against Ipswich.
Saka’s importance to Arsenal is such that he has already made 250 appearances at the age of 23, while he has contributed with 67 goals and 63 assists.
There will now be greater calls for Arsenal to bring in another winger during the January transfer window.
Arsenal are currently in second place in the Premier League – they are six points behind leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand.
