Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Bukayo Saka has undergone surgery following a hamstring injury, a setback that will keep him sidelined until at least March. This news comes as Arsenal celebrated a narrow 1-0 victory over Ipswich at the Emirates Stadium, marking their first match without the young England winger after he sustained the injury during a dominant 5-1 win against Crystal Palace the previous weekend.
During a pre-match press conference on Friday, Arteta had indicated that Saka, 23, would be out for “many weeks.” However, in the moments following the hard-fought win against Ipswich, Arteta provided a more definitive timeline, shedding light on the seriousness of the situation. He stated, “He has had a procedure and everything went well, but unfortunately he will be out for many, many weeks.” Arteta continued to explain, “It will be more than two months. I don’t know exactly how much longer. It will depend on how the scar tissue starts to heal, the first week or so, and the mobility of that. It is very difficult to say.”
Saka’s absence will pose a significant challenge for Arteta, who is striving to lead Arsenal to their first Premier League title in two decades. The young star has been instrumental to the team’s success, and his loss will require a collective effort from the remaining squad members. Addressing the matter of Saka’s replacement, Arteta emphasized, “The replacement of Bukayo is going to be the team. There were moments where it flowed well tonight and moments where you could see there is still work to do. But I am certain that we are going to do that. We have to rely on the team and not the individual.” His commitment to teamwork is evident as he seeks to navigate this challenging period.
In their latest match, which marked the final fixture of 2024, Kai Havertz emerged as the hero by scoring the only goal in the first half. Despite having opportunities to extend their lead through other players like Gabriel and Martin Odegaard, Arsenal managed to secure the crucial three points. This victory not only propelled them back into second place in the Premier League but also kept the pressure firmly on league leaders, Liverpool. With this victory, Arsenal is now just six points behind Liverpool, albeit having played one match more than their title rivals.
The Gunners are set to face Brentford in their next outing on New Year’s Day, as they look to maintain momentum in their pursuit of the title. Meanwhile, Ipswich, who remain firmly entrenched in the relegation zone and currently sit second from bottom, will host Chelsea on Monday night in a bid to claw their way to safety. Having suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat at home to Newcastle in their previous match, Ipswich finds themselves in a precarious position, with this latest loss marking their fifth in six games. The upcoming fixtures will be crucial for both teams as they navigate their respective challenges in the Premier League.
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