Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that winger Bukayo Saka will be sidelined for “many weeks” due to a hamstring injury.
The England international sustained the injury during Arsenal’s 5-1 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday and was seen leaving Selhurst Park on crutches.
Saka, 23, has been a standout performer this season, contributing nine goals and 13 assists in 24 appearances across all competitions.
“It’s not looking good,” said Arteta. “He’s going to be out for many weeks.
“It is what it is. He’s injured, we cannot change it. We’re going to use this time now to help him.”
Arteta said he was “putting some ideas together” to deal with Saka’s absence and Arsenal had experience in coping without key players having lost captain Martin Odegaard to injury this season.
Asked whether Saka had “torn” something in his hamstring, Arteta replied: “Yes. Probably there are ways to prevent the injury.
“There are a lot of factors. We are looking at everything and what we can do differently.”
Since his debut in November 2018, Saka has made 250 appearances for the Gunners, scoring 67 goals and providing 63 assists.
Arteta said Saka was “gutted” and “really emotional” after discovering the severity of his injury.
Asked if the congested fixture list had played a part in Saka’s injury, Arteta replied: “It’s probably more the accumulation [of matches] as people like Declan [Rice] and Bukayo have played over 130 games in three seasons.”
The Spanish coach also confirmed that Raheem Sterling is set for a spell on the sidelines after sustaining a knee injury.
“He is going to be out for weeks,” said Arteta. “He needs some further testing tomorrow.”
The Gunners’ next match is a league fixture against Ipswich Town at the Emirates Stadium on 27 December, with kick-off scheduled for 20:15 GMT.