Bukayo Saka faces long absence after hamstring injury blow

In a match in England on December 21, 2024, Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka suffered a right hamstring injury during a dominant 5-1 victory against Crystal Palace. Saka was forced to exit the game early after signaling a need for substitution. After the match, he left Selhurst Park using crutches, raising concerns about the seriousness of his injury. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his worry about the injury's implications on Saka's availability for upcoming matches, which include league fixtures, a Carabao Cup semi-final, and an FA Cup third round tie. The injury is particularly concerning as Saka had previously struggled with similar discomfort while on international duty, which adds to the uncertainty regarding his recovery timeline. Arteta stated that Saka would undergo scans to assess the extent of the damage, but initial assessments suggest he might miss approximately six weeks of action. During this period, Arsenal has a congested fixture schedule with ten vital matches, including significant fixtures against rivals such as Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United, putting additional pressure on the squad.