Arsenal are facing an anxious wait while Bukayo Saka undergoes tests on the hamstring problem that forced him off during the first half of yesterday’s 5-1 win over Crystal Palace.
Making his 250th appearance for the Gunners, the winger pulled up in the 24th minute after attempting a cross and immediately signalled that he needed to be substituted.
After medical treatment, he eventually limped back to the bench and was later seen leaving Selhurst Park on crutches.
In his post-game press conference, manager Mikel Arteta revealed: “He felt something in his hamstring, he couldn’t continue, and he’ll have to be assessed. So, we’re really worried about that one.”
Saka has played 56 matches so far in 2024, including every game of England’s run to the final of the European Championships in Germany. In the grand scheme of things, he’s missd very little football although there have been three previous lay-offs due to muscular problems in this calendar year.
Asked if Saka has aggravated an injury he returned from earlier in the seaosn, Arteta said: “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.”
Saka’s fitness problem is compounded by the news his backup on the right flank, Raheem Sterling, has also suffered an injury. The Chelsea loanee was conspicuous by his absence yesterday, especially as he’d looked lively in Wednesday’s win over Palace in the Carabao Cup.
Judging by the manager’s tone, you have to assume he’s going to be a doubt for next week’s clash with Ipswich at the Emirates.
“We lost Raheem yesterday,” said Arteta. “We don’t know for how long as well. So, to lose two players in 24 hours is not good.
“Unfortunately, with the amount of games that we are playing every three days with this schedule, it doesn’t surprise me but the team will react to that.”
After Saka was replaced by Leandro Trossard, Arteta asked Gabriel Martinelli to play off the right. The Brazilian seemed to enjoy the responsibility, providing a cross in the build-up to the Gunners’ third goal before adding the fourth himself.
Arteta could well be tempted to continue with that experiment while knowing Gabriel Jesus and Ethan Nwaneri are alternative options.
We need a signing in January if we are at all serious about achieving anything this season. And no, not Rashford on loan.
Bryan mbeumo, please. Been asking for years, and he’s going to be expensive now… but he can play anywhere across the front 3 has the technical ability to play in this team.
Plus given our Spanish manager the headlines will write themselves.
Scores a winner – “MBUEMOS DIAS MIKEL!”
Or scores an own goal
“BRYAN NO BUENO”
then when Arteta’s decides to sell him
“MBUEM VIAJE!”
I was tempted with Rashford on loan until I saw highlights of his lack of pressing. It would mess up the whole team dynamics and Arteta does not like big heads/ego’s. So yeah….no Rashford or we will have another Auba situation on our hands.
Agree, definitely no to Rashford. Not sure if we could get a big signing in January, but a short term loan player could be an option. Other emergency options are to keep Tierney or even Zinchenko and play them higher up as an attacking left mid in front of the left back. Hopefully Saka will come back sooner than expected 🙏.
A nice NY present of a two sided winger please. I like Seymeno as I think Isak or someone in that category won’t be available until the summer. We need something for sure
Semenyo*
Thankfully, Martinelli looked good on the right, if not better than his recent performances on the left!
Yeah, hopefully he can regain some form but we still need one more, Sterling is not going to do it, Trossard is O.K but he won’t be around much longer.
It’s been a really tough season for Arteta
Injuries, red cards and anti-Arsenal VAR decisions have been shocking.
In all honesty, Arteta and the boys have done extremely well to be where we are. A lot of our drawn games, such as City, Chelsea and Liverpool could easily have been victories on another day, whilst our wins at Villa Park and the Toilet Bowl were hard fought.
Hopefully, as hamstring injuries go, this isn’t a bad one and we’ll see Saka again in a few weeks.
Fingers crossed.
COYG
Injuries have really disrupted us this season but I don’t think Sterling was going to be the answer anyway beyond being a ‘body’. After the game yesterday I’d like to see Martinelli as a right winger with Trossard on the left. I think there’s a lot of potential in there as Martinelli can take the outside and use his pace as more traditional direct winger (which we haven’t had there for a long time) and Trossard finds it easier drifting into more central areas from the left. Problem is it leaves us with little on the bench, I think we… Read more »
Was Sterling really contributing though? I don’t know if this is as big as deal as its being made out to be. Yes, saka’s injury is a worry, but Sterling hasn’t been doing anything a season, so it’s not like we could count on him to suddenly perform or be good.
Off topic, if I was Martinez yesterday, I would have whispered to Halland to stay humble at every opportunity. As an ex Arsenal player you have to take advantage of these great moments.