ARSENAL’S title hopes have suffered a hammer blow as Bukayo Saka could be out until March.
The Gunners star is set to be sidelined for up to 15 GAMES at a crucial stage of the season.
Saka tore a hamstring in the first half of Saturday’s 5-1 win at Crystal Palace.
Boss Mikel Arteta revealed on Monday Saka, 23, will be out for “many weeks” — but the winger is expected to miss a big chunk of this campaign.
Arteta admitted: “It’s not looking good. He’s going to be out for many weeks.
“I cannot be too specific because I don’t know — but it will be many.
“The sample in this case is very small because he had very little issues.
“But looking at him, the way he recovers from game to game, we can be hopeful we’ll make that period shorter.”
Arsenal are third in the Premier League and six points behind leaders Liverpool, having played one more match.
The Gunners now face 15 games in all competitions until February 25 — starting against Ipswich at the Emirates on Friday.
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That does not factor in the possibility of Arteta’s men, who are in four competitions, also progressing in the cups.
Arteta will only dip into the transfer market to replace Saka if “something unbelievable” came up in next month’s window.
He added: “My focus is just about within the squad — the resources we have to be as competitive as possible.
“We have many options to do that. But if something unbelievable is available, and if the club is willing to do it, we will have to consider it.”
England ace Saka left Selhurst Park on crutches.
Arteta revealed the England ace, who has scored nine in all competitions and supplied ten Prem assists this season, was devastated.
The Spaniard said: “He is gutted. You can tell he has not been injured before as he was really emotional and down. We must lift him up.”
Raheem Sterling is the obvious replacement on the right flank but the Chelsea loanee got a knee injury in training.
Arteta added: “He’s going to be out for weeks but we need more tests.”
Premier League unless stated
