ARSENAL manager Mikel Arteta says winger Bukayo Saka will miss “many weeks” with a hamstring injury.
The England attacker was forced off during Saturday’s 5-1 win against Crystal Palace and left Selhurst Park on crutches.
Saka, 23, has scored nine goals and provided 13 assists across 24 games in all competitions this season.
“It’s not looking good,” said Arteta. “He’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.”
Arteta said he was “putting some ideas together” to deal with Saka’s absence and Arsenal had experience in coping without key players having lost captain Martin Odegaard to injury this season.
Asked whether Saka had “torn” something in his hamstring, Arteta replied: “Yes. Probably there are ways to prevent the injury.
“There are a lot of factors. We are looking at everything and what we can do differently.”
Arteta said Saka was “gutted” and “really emotional” after discovering the severity of his injury.
Asked if the congested fixture list had played a part in Saka’s injury, Arteta replied: “It’s probably more the accumulation [of matches] as people like Declan [Rice] and Bukayo have played over 130 games in three seasons.”
The Spanish coach also confirmed that Raheem Sterling is set for a spell on the sidelines after sustaining a knee injury.
“He is going to be out for weeks,” said Arteta. “He needs some further testing tomorrow.”
The Gunners next face Ipswich at Emirates Stadium in the league on 27 December (20:15 GMT kick-off).