Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta has revealed that Bukayo Saka will be sidelined until at least March after undergoing surgery on his hamstring.
Arsenal moved back to second in the Premier League table with a 1-0 win over Ipswich at the Emirates Stadium, their first match without Saka after the England winger tore his right hamstring in the 5-1 win over Crystal Palace last weekend.
Ahead of Friday's game, Arteta said Saka, 23, would be out for “several weeks”, but speaking in the moments after his side's win keeps the pressure on leaders Liverpool, Arteta offered a more impressive time frame for his star.
Please use Chrome browser for an easily accessible video player
Sky Sports News' Daniel Khan and Nick Wright look at how Arsenal handled their first match without star player Bukayo Saka against Ipswich.
Arteta said: “He underwent surgery and everything went well, but unfortunately he will be out of action for several weeks.”
“It will take more than two months. I don't know exactly how long it will take. It will depend on how the scar tissue starts to heal, in the first week or so, and the mobility of that. It's very difficult to say.”
“Bukayo's replacement will be the team. There were moments where things went well tonight and moments where you can see that there is still work to be done. But I am sure we will do it. We have to rely on the team and not the individual.”
Please use Chrome browser for an easily accessible video player
Highlights of the match between Arsenal and Ipswich in the English Premier League
The length of Saka's injury will be a major blow to Arteta, who is bidding to oversee Arsenal's first Premier League title in two decades.
In Saka's absence, and in Arsenal's final match of 2024, Kai Havertz scored the only goal of the game midway through the first half.
Gabriel, Havertz and Martin Odegaard all missed chances to extend Arsenal's lead in the second half, but their win moved them back to within six points of leaders Liverpool – having played one more game than the Reds – and one point clear of Chelsea after boxing out. The day of defeat against Fulham.
Gabriel reacts after sending a close-range header wide of the Ipswich goal
Arteta continued: “I am very happy with the win, the clean sheets and large parts of the match. They are difficult opponents and we are playing many matches.
“As you can see, teams win by narrow margins. Today we could have increased that margin, but we didn't, and we held our nerve in the last few minutes to defend well.
“We should have scored more. We had big chances in the second half, with a big header from Gabriel from one yard out, but the team was steady and didn't concede anything, and that's something that will always give us the chance to win games.”
Arsenal will next play against Brentford on New Year's Day. Ipswich, who remain second from bottom, three points from safety, host Chelsea on Monday evening.
Ipswich suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat at home to Newcastle in the game prior to their trip to the Emirates, which was their fifth loss from six matches.
“It was a good step back in the right direction for us,” boss Kieran McKenna said. “We didn't reach our level against Newcastle. We knew today we had to be patient and we did.”
Analysis: Arteta must work to find a formula without Saka
Nick Wright from Sky Sports at Emirates Stadium:
Arteta promised that Arsenal will be “different” without Saka. He knows he has no immediate replacement for the 23-year-old. However, based on this evidence, it could take some time to find a formula that works in his absence as he begins an extended period on the sidelines.
Martin Odegaard shoots a powerful shot on goal against Ipswich
Martinelli was chosen to take over the right-wing role for Arsenal after he impressed following the transfer following Saka's withdrawal in the win over Crystal Palace but struggled, not registering a shot, creating any chances or even completing any dribbles.
The goal came from the other end of the pitch, as Trossard raced away from Ben Johnson and crossed into the six-yard box, where Havertz pounced. But Arsenal continued to direct a higher percentage of attacks from the right flank.
Arsenal sent 49% of their attacks from the right flank
Martinelli wasn't the only one they were looking up to. Martin Odegaard provided support and Arteta's forward line was more fluid than usual, with Gabriel Jesus and Havertz also featuring on that side, as well as exchanging positions with each other before Jesus was replaced.
Their movement caused Ipswich problems at times, but Arsenal generally struggled to create chances, except for a period in the second half when they broke through the visitors' goal.
Havertz is ready to stand up – but others must follow his example
Penn Grounds on Sky Sports at Emirates Stadium:
“It's true you can't score five goals every week, and there was a degree of satisfaction in the voices of the home supporters when they chanted '1-0 to Arsenal' after the final whistle.
“This has turned into a muddled performance that, in the midst of a busy run of fixtures, Mikel Arteta won't mind. Mark this, and move on to the next performance.
“It's a game that won't live long in the memory, but it's a game that Arsenal won in the end thanks to Kai Havertz's dribbling off the ball.
“The German was rewarded simply because he did not stand still. Later, his enthusiasm led to a booking, but in Saka's absence, it was imperative that he continued his impressive production throughout 2024.”
“His decisive goal was his 24th appearance of the calendar year – just four goals behind Saka. And as long as the Starboy star is out injured, Havertz must continue this flurry of goals.”
