Bukayo Saka’s landmark Arsenal appearance ended earlier than he would have liked.
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says he is worried about Bukayo Saka after the winger limped off during the 5-1 win over Crystal Palace and left Selhurst Park on crutches.
The winger, on his landmark 250th appearance for the club, was forced off midway through the first-half on Saturday night after crossing a ball in.
Saka was later seen leaving Selhurst Park with the aid of crutches and he will undergo tests in the coming days to learn the severity of his injury.
It is the third hamstring injury that the 23-year-old has suffered this season after also picking them in October and November.
“He felt something in his hamstring,” said Arteta after the game. “He couldn’t continue. He will have to be assessed. Pretty worried about that one.”
Saka instantly held up his hand after crossing the ball in and signalled to the bench that he had a problem, with Leandro Trossard coming on to replace him.
Asked how severe the injury is, Arteta said: “It’s difficult to do that now. They have tested him inside but very difficult to say how bad it is.
“I’m not sure if it’s exactly the same one [that he did earlier this season]. It’s in the same leg. He had the third minor injury - I don’t know how big this is going to be. But he already had two.”
Arsenal welcome Ipswich Town to Emirates Stadium next Friday before kicking off the new year with a trip to Brentford.
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Then they have Brighton away before a succession of home games including an FA Cup third round tie against Manchester United, a Carabao Cup semi-final date with Newcastle United and the North London derby.
Saka’s injury was the one negative on an otherwise perfect evening for the Gunners as they returned to winning ways in the Premier League following back-to-back draws against Fulham and Everton.
Gabriel Jesus got the ball rolling with a brace either side of Ismaila Sarr’s equaliser. Those two goals capped off a fine week for the Brazilian, who scored a hat-trick in the Carabao Cup tie between the two sides on Wednesday night.
Kai Havertz gave Arsenal a two-goal cushion before the half-time break with Gabriel Martinelli and Declan Rice striking in the second half to round off a five-star performance.