Arsenal feared that Bukayo Saka’s hamstring injury would keep him out for the remainder of the season, according to a report.
Saka lasted less than 25 minutes when the Gunners travelled to Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park last Saturday. Following a collision with Tyrick Mitchell, Arsenal‘s prolific forward was left on his haunches and had to be helped off the pitch. The 23-year-old was spotted using crutches in the aftermath of a 5-1 Arsenal victory.
Manager Mikel Arteta revealed that Saka would be sidelined for “many weeks”. Without putting an exact timeline on his recovery, speculation over his absence has varied. Immediately after the incident, Arsenal’s medical department feared the worst, per the Daily Mail.
On the same day as the game, the Gunners had Saka scanned to check if his hamstring had become detached from the bone. Such an injury would have to be treated with surgery and usually sidelines players for as many as six months.
Saka is believed to have avoided that disastrous outcome, although Arteta did confirm that the winger’s hamstring was torn.
When providing his first injury update for Saka, Arteta revealed: “It could have been much worse, it can be something else that can take you out for a year.”
Once it had become clear that Arsenal would be able to rely upon their number seven at some point again this season, Arteta took an optimistic stance. The Spanish boss claimed that the absence of his star player would make him a “better manager”. Whether Arsenal will be a better team without Saka is another matter entirely.
Even if Saka is sidelined for six weeks – as initial reports suggested – he will miss 11 matches across all competitions, including the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle, an FA Cup tie with Manchester United and league fixtures against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City. Yet, there are real concerns that the over-played England international will be out until March.
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