Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta admitted that he is “pretty worried” about the injury sustained by Bukayo Saka during Saturday’s 5-1 victory over Crystal Palace.
The talismanic forward lasted less than 25 minutes before he was forcibly removed during Arsenal’s trip to Selhurst Park. The Gunners had already scored twice, with Gabriel Jesus breaking the deadlock in the sixth minute after collecting a cross heaved to the back post by Saka.
Arteta’s side scored three more times in the winger’s absence to solidify third place, but the Spanish manager was more concerned with his player’s health post-game.
“He felt something in his hamstring, he couldn’t continue,” Arteta explained. “He will have to be assessed. [I’m] pretty worried about that one.”
Saka appeared to sustain his latest muscular injury after colliding with Palace left-back Tyrick Mitchell. The defender attempted to block his cutback to Martin Odegaard, leaving Arsenal’s star man crumpled in a heap on the turf.
Arteta, who has fostered a reputation for playing injury-related mind games, was in no position to provide a timeline for Saka’s recovery so soon after the final whistle. “It’s difficult,” he shrugged. “They have tested him but it’s very difficult to say how bad it is.”
The sight of Saka writhing around on the ground is nothing new. However, the 23-year-old is rarely forced off the pitch. No player in Arsenal’s Premier League history has ever racked up more consecutive appearances than the durable winger. Saka has sat out just four top-flight matches in the last three-and-a-half years.
However, this is the third time the England international has suffered a blow to his right hamstring this season. “I’m not sure if it’s exactly the same one, it’s in the same leg,” Arteta mused. “I don’t know how big this is going to be but he’s already had two.”
