Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed concerns over the injury suffered by England winger, Bukayo Saka following their convincing 5-1 win at Selhurst Park over Crystal Palace.
The 23-year old limped off in the first half of the encounter and was replaced by Belgium forward Leandro Trossard, as the Gunners went on to seal the comfortable victory over the Eagles which reduced the deficit between them and League leaders Liverpool, to just three points although the Reds now have two games in hand.
“He felt something in his hamstring, he couldn’t continue,” Arteta said after the game. “He will have to be assessed so really worried about that one.”
The Hale End academy product started the game on his favorite right flank but had to be substituted due to a hamstring injury in the 24th minute and was pictured leaving the game in crutches.
“It’s very difficult to [say] now – they have tested him inside but very difficult to say how bad it is”, he added.
Saka has been the Gunners’ most consistent performer in recent years and has nine goals and thirteen assists in 24 appearances in all competitions this season. In the English Premier League, he tops the assists charts with ten goals provided for his teammates this season.
He missed a few games in October after a hamstring injury picked up while on duty for England in the October international break and although the extent of his injury is unknown at the moment, his loss will be a huge blow for Arsenal as they look to challenge for the title.
“I’m not sure if it’s exactly the same one, or the same leg. It’s the third minor injury; I don’t know how big this one is going to be but he already had two of them.”
Mikel Arteta will hope Saka is fit and available for selection ahead of a busy festive period schedule which begins with a home match against Ipswich Town on December 27th.
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