Arsenal face a significant setback during the hectic festive period following concerning news about Bukayo Saka’s fitness.
On Saturday evening, the Gunners delivered an impressive performance with a crucial 5-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Gabriel Jesus scored twice, while Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, and Declan Rice also found the net. Ismaila Sarr scored the lone goal for Palace.
However, the win was overshadowed by Saka’s early exit in the 24th minute due to what appeared to be another hamstring injury.
After the match, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed concern about the injury, leaving the club anxious about its severity. With matches against Ipswich Town, Brentford, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Manchester United coming up, reports suggest Saka could be sidelined for several weeks.
According to The Times, Saka is expected to miss around four to six weeks due to a right hamstring injury. While this timeframe is standard for moderate hamstring injuries, Saka has previously returned ahead of schedule, providing Arsenal hope during this critical period.
In light of Saka’s absence, Premier League all-time top scorer Alan Shearer has called on Gabriel Jesus to take on a larger role.
Speaking on Match of the Day, Shearer said: “Losing Saka will be a huge blow for Arsenal. They’ll miss not just his goals but his assists as well, which is why Jesus needs to step up and fill the void.
“He’s had a tough time in front of goal recently, but after midweek, where he regained his scoring touch, you could see the confidence return. Arteta deserves credit for trusting him, and it paid off with a brilliant performance today.”
Shearer continued: “His overall play was excellent—linking up with teammates, making clever runs, and showing his pace and confidence. He looks like he feels at home in the team again.”
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