Arsenal learn extent of devastating Bukayo Saka hamstring injury

Arsenal are set to be without Bukayo Saka for an extended period after scans revealed that the Gunners superstar had suffered a hamstring tear.

Saka was forced off before the half-hour mark on Saturday as Arsenal continued their unbeaten run after the November international break with an efficient 5-1 triumph over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

Chelsea's subsequent draw means Arsenal are now just two points adrift off their London rivals, but Liverpool's advantage at the summit remains six points and the Reds also have a game in hand.

Arsenal have not had it their own way this season, but Saka has been critical to any success. The winger has once again featured heavily and recorded an impressive 22 goal contributions in 24 outings across all competitions. He also leads the Premier League with ten assists.

However, the Gunners will have to learn to cope in the absence of their inevitable force down the right.

Arsenal learn extent of devastating Bukayo Saka hamstring injury

Saka headed straight down the tunnel after trudging off on Saturday and he was pictured limping on crutches after the game. Many were pessimistic as Mikel Arteta supplied a pre-Christmas update on Thursday and although the manager said the winger's injury "could've been much worse", he did confirm that Saka will spend "many weeks" on the sidelines.

The 23-year-old has reportedly suffered a high-grade tear, with the general consensus suggesting the winger could be out for as long as eight weeks. The more optimistic believe a return within four to six weeks, while others have rather depressingly noted that Saka might not play again until March.

Arteta did confirm that the England international will return before the end of the season.

It doesn't take a genius to work out just how big a blow this is for the Gunners. Saka has operated as a one-man attack this season, and we shouldn't overlook the importance of his set-piece delivery.

Arsenal have dealt with brief Saka absences, as was the case after the October international break, but nothing of this ilk. A two-month absence could crucfiy the Gunners' title chances.

Arteta has already hinted that the club will not turn to external solutions via the January transfer market as a means of mitigating Saka's absence. “My intention right now is to get the best of what we have," he said on Monday.

Raheem Sterling is also set for a few weeks out due to a knee injury, meaning the Gunners are suddenly desperately short-handed in wide areas. It looks like we're going to see plenty of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard over the next few weeks, with the former likely to earn the bulk of the minutes down the right flank.

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