Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed a double injury blow ahead of the Premier League clash against Ipswich Town on Friday night.
The Gunners returned to winning ways in the top-flight with a convincing 5-1 triumph over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park last weekend.
Arsenal host Ipswich at the Emirates Stadium next and ahead of the encounter, Arteta has confirmed bad news on Bukayo Saka.
The club graduate was substituted in the 24th minute against Palace and the manager has revealed that he has a hamstring issue.
Arteta added that Saka was gutted and he was really emotional and really down after the setback.
He told reporters: “He’s gonna be out for weeks. He needs further testing tomorrow to understand the extent of his injury. It’s his knee.
“He was gutted. You could tell that he hasn’t been injured because he was really emotional and really down. He will be fine but I think he’s going to need a few days.
“He’s going to immediately realise that he’s really important in that dressing room. His body language is the only way he can help so he had better do that.”
Alongside Saka, Raheem Sterling also sustained a knee injury in the lead-up to the derby last weekend.
The Chelsea loanee will also be sidelined for ‘weeks’. The exact timeline will be known after he undergoes further testing on Tuesday.
Arteta added: “He’s gonna be out for weeks. He needs further testing tomorrow to understand the extent of his injury. It’s his knee.”
Arsenal secured a much-needed win against Palace on the back of two draws against Fulham and Everton in the Premier League.
However, they are still six points behind table-toppers Liverpool, who have a game in hand against the Toffees away from home.
The Gunners need to keep on winning to keep up in the title race. The setback for Saka is a huge blow ahead of a tight schedule.
Arsenal have to find ways of coping with his absence. Gabriel Martinelli looked lively from the right wing against the Eagles on the road.
The Brazilian caught the eye with his direct running, dribbling and crossing ability. He could become a regular in the role for the short-term.
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