Bukayo Saka suffered a major injury scare after being forced off during Arsenal’s emphatic 5-1 victory against Crystal Palace. The young England winger experienced significant discomfort after a heavy challenge, leading to his substitution just 23 minutes into the match. As the game progressed, Saka was seen sitting on the turf at Selhurst Park, visibly distressed and clutching the back of his right leg. His condition necessitated assistance from the Gunners’ medical staff, and he ultimately exited the ground using crutches, raising concerns among fans and teammates alike.
Following the match, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta shared an update on Saka’s situation, although he conveyed that the news was ‘not good’ without delving into specific details about the extent of the injury. In his post-match interview with Sky Sports, Arteta stated, “I don’t know [how serious the injury is] but he had to come off. He felt something, it’s not good news obviously. We have to assess him and wait.” This uncertainty emphasized the potential impact of the injury on both Saka’s career and the team’s immediate performance.
Arteta further explained that the decision to substitute Saka was taken as a ‘precaution’ while addressing viewers on the BBC’s Match of the Day programme. Saka’s history with injuries also loomed large, as he had previously faced a similar situation earlier in the season while representing England in a match against Greece in October. That injury had sidelined him for over a month, causing him to miss nine matches in total—a fact that intensifies the worry surrounding his latest setback.
This new concern places Saka’s availability in jeopardy for the upcoming clash against Ipswich Town on December 27, followed by a challenging game against Brentford on New Year’s Day. With Arsenal also set to face Brighton just three days later, the prospect of Saka missing multiple games becomes increasingly likely, which could significantly affect the team’s attacking dynamics moving forward.
Sky Sports co-commentator Jamie Carragher shared his perspective on the situation, noting, “He put his hand up straight away. I know he gets a little bit of ridicule at times for going down too much. But it looks like a problem.” Carragher highlighted the potential seriousness of the injury, particularly suggesting that it appeared to be related to Saka’s hamstring when he attempted to deliver a cross that ultimately got blocked.
Despite Saka’s absence, Arsenal managed to secure a convincing victory, aided by an impressive performance from Gabriel Jesus, who scored twice—his fourth and fifth goals within the week, following his hat-trick against the Eagles in the Carabao Cup. Additionally, Kai Havertz contributed to the scoreline, showcasing the strength in Arsenal’s squad depth.
In the second half, Arteta’s side stretched their lead to three goals after a strike from Gabriel Martinelli, followed by Declan Rice’s stunning long-range effort that sealed the score at five. This victory allowed Arsenal to narrow the gap to league leaders Liverpool to just three points, despite having played two additional matches. The overall performance underscored the team’s resilience, but with a significant question mark now hanging over Bukayo Saka’s fitness, the coming weeks will be critical as Arsenal navigates a busy fixture schedule.
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