Gunners’ Star Winger Set to Miss Eight More Weeks in Major Blow to Mikel Arteta’s Struggling Side
Arsenal’s already tumultuous 2024/25 season has taken another devastating turn, with reports confirming that star winger Bukayo Saka will remain sidelined for up to eight more weeks due to a hamstring injury. The England international, who has been a beacon of hope for the Gunners this campaign, suffered the setback during Arsenal’s 5-1 victory over Crystal Palace in December, and his prolonged absence is set to compound Mikel Arteta’s mounting challenges.
Saka, 22, has been instrumental for Arsenal this season, contributing five goals and ten assists in just 16 Premier League appearances. His creativity and dynamism have often papered over the cracks in a squad that has struggled for consistency, particularly in attack. However, with Saka now ruled out until mid-April, Arsenal’s hopes of salvaging their season have taken a significant hit.
The Gunners’ injury woes don’t end with Saka. Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus have both been ruled out for the remainder of the season, while Gabriel Martinelli is also facing a month on the sidelines. This leaves Arteta with a severely depleted attacking lineup, relying heavily on Leandro Trossard, Raheem Sterling, and 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri to carry the load.
According to The Sun, Saka’s recovery has been slower than initially anticipated, with the club opting against rushing him back to action. “Saka is set to be sidelined for a further eight weeks as Arsenal’s injury nightmare intensified,” the report states. “When Saka limped away from the 5-1 crushing of Crystal Palace in December, Arsenal were hoping for him to be fit by next month. But boss Mikel Arteta will not take a further gamble on Saka unless he is absolutely ready.”
The decision to prioritize Saka’s long-term fitness is understandable, given his importance to the team and the explosive nature of his playing style, which heavily relies on his ability to push off his right leg. However, the extended absence of their talisman leaves Arsenal in a precarious position as they look to navigate a season that has already seen them exit the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, while struggling to keep pace with Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.
Arteta’s side did manage to secure a place in the Champions League knockout stages, but their domestic form has been inconsistent, with an over-reliance on set-pieces and Saka’s individual brilliance masking deeper issues. The Spaniard now faces the daunting task of reinvigorating his squad with limited options, as Arsenal’s injury crisis threatens to derail their campaign entirely.
As Saka continues his rehabilitation in Dubai, Arsenal fans will be hoping for a swift and full recovery for their star man. In the meantime, the pressure is on Arteta to find solutions within his depleted squad and keep the Gunners’ season from slipping further into disarray. For a club with aspirations of competing at the highest level, the coming weeks will be a true test of resilience and resourcefulness.
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