Major Arsenal blow as Bukayo Saka sidelined for ‘many weeks’ after being forced off with injury
BUKAYO SAKA will be sidelined for "many weeks" after he was forced off through injury, Mikel Arteta has confirmed.
Saka was subbed off in the 24th minute of Arsenal's 5-1 win at Crystal Palace on Saturday with a muscle injury.
The Arsenal ace, 23, was spotted walking on crutches following the game.
And the Gunners have now been handed a nightmare update on his fitness going into the new year.
Speaking to reporters, Arteta said: "It’s not looking good.
"He’s going to be out for MANY weeks.
"It’s a huge blow, but it’s going to be a big exercise for us to overcome another challenge."
Asked whether there was a fear the winger might not play again this season, Arteta answered with a definitive: "No."
He added: "I would be very optimistic that he will be well again well before the end of the season."
Asked about Saka's mentality in making his comeback following his injury, Arteta said: "Another part of player development is that at some stage at this level you're going to get injured, unfortunately badly.
"He could have been much worse or been something else.
"It's how you react to that and overcome that situation and it is a great learning process for him.
"It is what it is, he is injured we cannot change it but we are going to use this time to help him for the following years in his career."
More to follow.
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