If there was one player Mikel Arteta probably wouldn't have wanted to lose right now it's Bukayo Saka. The England international has either scored or assisted 49% of Arsenal's Premier League and Champions League goals this season and has had a hand in several more through his superb set-piece delivery.
Unfortunately though, the cruel hand of fate has struck Arsenal once again.
"It's not looking good he's going to be out for many weeks," Arteta confirmed on Monday. "I cannot be too specific because I don’t know, but it will be many weeks."
Saka has torn his right hamstring. It is the third time the 23-year-old has suffered a hamstring injury this season after limping out of England's 2-1 defeat to Greece in October and missing the subsequent November international break after coming off against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. football.london understands that Saka will do well to make it back before the end of January.
This absence is compounded by the fact that Raheem Sterling - who was ostensibly signed as Saka's back up - is also facing a spell in the treatment room. The 30-year-old limped out of training on Friday with a knee problem and is unlikely to be back for some time.
"He’s going to be out for weeks I believe," Arteta said. "He needs further testing tomorrow to understand the extent of his injury. We have to wait and see another 24 hours. Unfortunately he’s going to be out for a while."
The result leaves Arsenal scratching their heads for replacements. They could dip in to the January transfer window, but Arteta has stated that the first point of call will be to look within.
"We have to look internally at what we have and be creative," he said. "It’s a good exercise again of how can we mould the squad, how can we adapt to the circumstances and how can we be different? We’re not going to be the same. We’re going to be different. Try and find the best way to do it and win games."
There are several solutions at Arteta's disposal. Gabriel Martinelli played well on the right wing after Saka came off, while Gabriel Jesus has deputised in the past. Leandro Trossard is also a versatile option, while Ethan Nwaneri played on the right regularly for Arsenal's youth teams.
One option that has not been discussed as much however, is Kai Havertz. The German has played either in midfield or up front since his £65million arrival from Chelsea last summer, but he has played on the right wing in the past.
He played there for Chelsea nine times but scored just once. Arteta may be more enthused by his spell at Bayer Leverkusen where Havertz played on the right 30 times, scoring 17 goals and grabbing seven assists.
At 6ft 5ins Havertz is by no means a typical right winger. But the German has the creative guile and willingness to work for the team that could make him an asset. Arsenal are in a position where they need to keep winning matches if they are to win the Premier League title this season. They cannot afford to turn their noses up at any solutions in Saka's absence.
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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