Arsenal have enjoyed a return to the Premier League title conversation thanks to a seven-match unbeaten streak that has given them at least a shout of catching Liverpool.
Yet their chances of completing a comeback would be severely diminished if they are missing their right-wing talisman for an extended period of time.
Bukayo Saka, who leads the club with nine goals and 13 assists this season, was forced off injured on Saturday against Crystal Palace with what appeared to be a muscle injury.
While soft tissue injuries can linger on their own, the worry is greater with Saka having already been struggling through a few similar niggles across the first half of the season, leaving the Gunners to sweat the fitness of their most valuable attacking player.
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Bukayo Saka injury updates after Arsenal star exits vs. Crystal Palace
Bukayo Saka was forced off in the 24th minute of Arsenal's Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace on Saturday, December 21.
After having a cross blocked, the 23-year-old found himself sat on the turf in significant pain, holding the back of his right leg. He could not continue and was replaced by substitute Leandro Trossard for the rest of the match.
Mikel Arteta confirmed after the match that Saka had suffered a hamstring injury, and he was seen leaving Selhurst Park on crutches after the game, a very worrying sight.
Saka leaving Palace on crutches, not looking great #arsenal pic.twitter.com/N3Jnd7bS8x
— Joao Castelo-Branco (@j_castelobranco) December 21, 2024
Mikel Arteta comments on Bukayo Saka injury
Mikel Arteta's initial assessment of Bukayo Saka's injury was one of concern.
"He felt something in his hamstring," Arteta confirmed after the Crystal Palace match. "He could not continue, he has to be assessed. Pretty worried about that one.
"It's difficult to guess now. They have tested him but difficult to say how bad it is."
On Monday, Arteta provided an update — and not a positive one.
"It's not looking good," he said. "[Saka's] going to be out for many weeks.
"It is what it is. He's injured, we cannot change it. We're going to use this time now to help him."
How long will Bukayo Saka miss?
Reports (via The Times) suggest that the winger could be sidelined for four to six weeks due to a right hamstring issue. However, Arsenal fans hold onto hope, knowing Saka’s history of quicker-than-expected recoveries.
Here are Arsenal's upcoming fixtures which could be most in play for Saka's injury.
| Date | Competition | Match | Days from injury |
| Fri, Dec. 27 | Premier League | Arsenal vs. Ipswich Town | 6 |
| Wed, Jan. 1 | Premier League | Brentford vs. Arsenal | 11 |
| Sat, Jan. 4 | Premier League | Brighton vs. Arsenal | 14 |
| Sun, Jan. 12 | FA Cup | Arsenal vs. Man United | 22 |
| Wed, Jan. 15 | Premier League | Arsenal vs. Tottenham | 25 |
| Sat, Jan. 18 | Premier League | Arsenal vs. Aston Villa | 28 |
| Wed, Jan. 22 | Champions League | Arsenal vs. Dinamo Zagreb | 32 |
Bukayo Saka recent injury history
The 23-year-old has had trouble with niggling muscle issues across the 2024 calendar year.
Most notably, he missed nine games for club and country through October and November with a similar injury first suffered while on England international duty and aggrevated shortly after.
“I’m not sure if it’s exactly the same one [that he did earlier this season]," Arteta said. "It’s in the same leg. He had the third injury - I don’t know how big this is going to be. But he already had two.”
He was hauled off at halftime of a league game against Man City in late September with a worry, but did not miss any time from that injury.
Saka missed one game in May with a slight muscle issue, and was out for five matches through late March as well.
