Arsenal will be without Bukayo Saka for a number of weeks as manager Mikel Arteta is drawing up a plan to continue winning without the England star.
Saka was forced off in the first half of Arsenal's win over Crystal Palace last weekend. "It doesn't look good, he's going to be out for a number of weeks. I am thinking of some ideas to deal with this absence. I don't have a specific solution yet, but I have a few ideas. I also want to talk to them and take it positively," Arteta said after the win over Palace.
Saka's absence at the Gunners' busiest period of the season. If he is absent until the end of January, it would mean the English striker would miss 10 games in all competitions.
The first three of those games will take place over eight days in early 2025. Arsenal ended 2024 by hosting Ipswich at home, then started the new year against Brentford and Brighton.
After that, Arteta's team will have 2 cup matches. The first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final between Arsenal and Newcastle will take place on January 7, with the third leg of the FA Cup against Manchester United just five days later.
Arsenal will return to the Premier League with the North London derby against Tottenham. Aston Villa will visit Emirates Stadium on January 18, while the reception of Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League will end the Gunners' streak of 5 consecutive home matches.
Arteta's side will end January with away trips to Wolves and Girona. When February starts with a home game against defending Premier League champions Manchester City, Arsenal will be hoping Saka can return in time.
With Raheem Sterling also injured, Arsenal will need to decide whether they should participate in the transfer market or not. They have gone through a period without Martin Odegaard, when the Norwegian midfielder was absent for 2 months due to injury. However, Saka's absence could cause problems in a very different way.
"We will take advantage of every player to the best of our potential. Everyone must feel a part of the team. You need to rediscover players in different positions and abilities.
This is a really good challenge and the players need to be ready to do whatever we ask" - the Spaniard said.
