Arsenal fans were left deeply concerned after Bukayo Saka was spotted leaving Selhurst Park on crutches following his withdrawal during the Gunners’ emphatic 5-1 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday.
The winger was forced off midway through the first half, raising fears of a significant layoff at a critical point in the season, so how long will he be out for?
Bukayo Saka on crutches after Arsenal's 5-1 win at Crystal Palace
Bukayo Saka on crutches after Arsenal’s 5-1 win at Crystal Palace
Speaking after the match, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta addressed Saka’s injury, saying, “He felt something in his hamstring. He couldn’t continue. He will have to be assessed, so I’m pretty worried about that one.” The manager emphasised the difficulty of providing an early prognosis, adding, “It’s very difficult to [say] now – they have tested him inside but it’s very difficult to say how bad it is.”
Hamstring injuries can vary significantly in severity. A mild strain could see Saka return within two weeks, while a more severe tear could sideline him for months. The sight of Saka on crutches will only heighten concerns, particularly given Arteta’s acknowledgement of the packed fixture schedule: “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.”
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 21: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal receives medical treatment after picking up an injury during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Arsenal FC at Selhurst Park on December 21, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Gary Jacob, writing in The Times on Monday, seems to believe that Saka will be sidelined for ‘several weeks’ but it’s not clear how much of this is guesswork based on what we all know about hamstring injuries and how Saka left Selhurst Park.
Saka set to be out for several weeks with hamstring injury Next image › Bukayo Saka is likely to be sidelined for several weeks with an injury to his right hamstring. The Arsenal forward looked uncomfortable and used crutches when leaving Selhurst Park on Saturday night, after signalling that he wanted to be substituted during the first half of his team’s 5-1 Premier League win over Crystal Palace. Saka will miss Arsenal’s game against Ipswich Town in the league on Friday, which is the first of ten matches the club play across all competitions before the end of January. They also play Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa among five other league matches, two Champions League games, Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg, and Manchester United in the FA Cup third round. Assuming it is a moderate hamstring injury, the typical recovery time is between four and six weeks. While Saka, 23, has often returned fairly quickly from injuries, the worry for Arsenal is that it is the third hamstring issue he has suffered during this campaign, while he also had a thigh problem last season. He missed two matches for Arsenal in October, including the 2-0 defeat by Bournemouth, after feeling his right hamstring during England’s 2-1 defeat by Greece in the Nations League. This season he has started 16 of 17 league matches and five of six Champions league games, plus a third-round Carabao Cup tie against League One Bolton Wanderers in September. Last season he missed only three league matches, because of small muscle issues, after having set a club record of playing in 87 successive topflight games. Mikel Arteta has previously signalled that he is looking to strengthen when the January transfer window opens next week after losing a number of players to muscular injuries already this season. The Arsenal manager also said that Raheem Sterling, signed on loan from Chelsea in the summer and one of the potential back-ups for Saka, had suffered an unspecified injury in training. Arteta is also without Ben White, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu, all full backs. Arsenal may secure a place in the top eight of the Champions League — and automatic qualification for the round of 16 — if they beat Dynamo Zagreb at home next month. That would mean they could rest players for the final match away to Girona in Spain, four days before they are due to host Manchester City in the league at the Emirates.
‘Saka set to be out for several weeks with hamstring injury’ The Times, 23 December 2024
The timing of this injury could not be worse for Arsenal. With festive fixtures against Ipswich on Friday, Brentford on New Year’s Day, and Brighton three days later, the Gunners face a tight schedule that demands squad depth. Trailing league leaders Liverpool by six points, Arsenal cannot afford to lose any more momentum in the title race.
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 21: A general view as Bukayo Saka of Arsenal is assisted as he walks down the tunnel as he leaves the field following medical treatment after picking up an injury during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Arsenal FC at Selhurst Park on December 21, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Saka’s contribution to Arsenal’s attack this season has, as usual, been critical with five goals and 10 assists in just 16 matches. His ability to link play, stretch defences, and provide goals has made him one of the world’s standout performers. Replacing his influence on the pitch will be a daunting, if not impossible challenge, particularly with his back-up, Raheem Sterling, not only out of form, but injured as well.
The manager has often relied on Saka’s durability, but with this being the third hamstring problem for the England winger this season, questions will be raised about the workload placed on the 23-year-old. While Saka’s fitness has been a key asset in recent years, the relentless schedule of domestic and European fixtures appears to be taking a toll.
For now, Arsenal supporters will be hoping for positive news from Saka’s assessments in the coming days. However, with the festive period about to hit full swing, the club’s title hopes may hinge on how they cope without their talisman.
Hamstring injuries
Scotland's Kieran Tierney reacts on a stretcher as he leaves the game injured during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group A football match between Scotland and Switzerland at the Cologne Stadium in Cologne on June 19, 2024. (Photo by ANGELOS TZORTZINIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Photo by ANGELOS TZORTZINIS/AFP via Getty Images
Hamstring injuries are classified into three grades based on their severity. These grades help medical professionals determine the extent of the injury and guide appropriate treatment and rehabilitation plans.
Grade 1 (Mild): A Grade 1 hamstring injury is a minor strain or pull, with only a few muscle fibres affected. There is usually mild pain and discomfort but no significant loss of strength or function. Recovery time for a Grade 1 injury is typically between 1 to 3 weeks, depending on the individual and the specific injury.
Grade 2 (Moderate): A Grade 2 hamstring injury involves a partial tear of the muscle fibres. This results in more pain, swelling, and possible bruising. The individual might experience difficulty walking or have a limited range of motion. Recovery time for a Grade 2 injury is usually between 4 to 8 weeks.
Grade 3 (Severe): A Grade 3 hamstring injury is a complete tear or rupture of the muscle, which can cause severe pain, swelling, and significant loss of function. This type of injury may require surgical intervention, depending on the location and extent of the tear. Recovery time for a Grade 3 injury can range from 3 to 6 months, or even longer, depending on the severity and the individual’s healing process.
It’s important to note that recovery times can vary depending on the individual, the quality of the rehabilitation program, and other factors.
Related Posts