Bukayo Saka is one of seven Arsenal players causing an injury headache for Mikel Arteta(Image: (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images))

Mikel Arteta reveals how Bukayo Saka reacted to injury as worst-case Arsenal scenario confirmed

by · football.london

Mikel Arteta revealed Bukayo Saka is "gutted" after the Arsenal winger tore his hamstring in the weekend win over Crystal Palace.

The 23-year-old was forced off in the first half of the 5-1 victory over the Eagles after pulling up while crossing into the box. The England international left Selhurst Park on crutches and now faces "many weeks" on the sidelines.

Providing an update on the Hale Ender, Arteta said on Monday: "It's not looking good he's going to be out for many weeks." When asked for Saka's reaction to the injury, the Spaniard said: "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."

Arteta, though, is planning on giving Saka the support he needs so he can come back stronger. "He’s going to immediately realise that he’s really important in that dressing room," Arteta added. "His body language is the only way he can help so he had better do that."

Saka has been in sensational form for Arsenal this season with the winger scoring nine goals and assisting 13 more in 24 appearances. The likes of Gabriel Jesus, Ethan Nwaneri, Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz could now be called upon to play on the right hand side. Raheem Sterling is injured, however, with the Chelsea loanee picking up a knee injury last week.

"Gabi has played there, Ethan has played there, Leo can play there in relation to how the unit moves," Arteta said. "Kai can play there. We will talk to them and understand how they feel about it."

Join the football.london Arsenal WhatsApp channel

Join our Arsenal WhatsApp channel and get all the latest breaking news, opinion, podcasts and in-depth stories from football.london's dedicated Arsenal writers straight to your phone!

By following this free service you will be the first to know the news from the Emirates Stadium as it happens, when it happens.

To join our dedicated Arsenal channel, all you have to do is click this link and you can join thousands of others following our Gunners coverage!

If you're curious, you can check out our privacy policy here.