Bukayo Saka: Injured Arsenal winger faces “more than two months” out
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says Bukayo Saka could be out for “more than two months” after undergoing surgery on an injured hamstring.
The 23-year-old winger came off during the first half of Arsenal’s 5-1 Premier League win over Crystal Palace on December 21 and left the pitch on crutches.
Saka is a key player for the Gunners. He has played 24 times in all competitions this season, scoring 9 goals and providing 13 assists.
Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich It was Saka’s first game since injury and Arteta confirmed the timetable for the England international’s recovery after the win lifted his side into second place.
“He has a program,” the Gunners boss said. “Everything is going well but unfortunately he will be out for many, many weeks.
“I’m talking many weeks, so I think it will be more than two months. I don’t know exactly how long it will take.”
“It’s going to depend on how the scar tissue starts to heal, the first week or so, and how mobile it is. Let’s see, it’s hard to say.”
But Arsenal have received a welcome boost of fitness in Raheem Sterling, with the striker expected to return sooner than expected.
Ahead of the Ipswich game, Arteta had said the 30-year-old Chelsea loanee would miss “a few weeks” with a knee injury.
However, the problem is not as serious as initially feared and Sterling could be available for selection again soon.
“Yes, we have to see how he develops this week,” Arteta added. “We probably expect the knee injury to be longer than it has been the past few days. Hopefully that’s good news because we need him.”
Arsenal’s next game will be against Brentford on New Year’s Day.
