Bukayo Saka coming off inside the first 20 minutes against Crystal Palace was a frustrating stain on the impressive win for Arsenal at Selhurst Park, which has proven a difficult ground to go to previously. Having helped create the opening goal and then feeding the corner for the second, his substitution gave a boost to the home side until another strike from Gabriel Jesus led to Kai Havertz’s goal.
It could not come at a worse time and with it being a suspected hamstring injury, it is difficult to know – especially with so little information at this stage – just how long he could be out for. Kieran Tierney only returned a few weeks ago after suffering a major hamstring injury at the Euros.
While for other cases it can be a matter of weeks. January is particularly tough for Arsenal with Carabao Cup and FA Cup clashes with top opponents, a North London Derby and the visit of the side who effectively cost them the title last season, Aston Villa. Not to mention to visit of Manchester City on February 2.
Naturally, there have been calls for a response already in regard to the market. It has been reported elsewhere that only an injury or opportunity could spark the Gunners into a considerable investment.
Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta when asked on the topic has been quick to praise the players already in the group. Ahead of the midweek game with Palace Arteta said: “I fully trust the squad and our players, and the amount of situations and things we generate in the match, how little we concede. I fully trust my players.”
It’s all well and good to trust your players but when you lose someone as big as Saka, potentially with a serious injury, then you need more. We are seeing just how much Manchester City are suffering without Rodri.
