Sports Correspondent

Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Bukayo Saka will be sidelined for at least “more than two months” following surgery on his injured hamstring.

The 23-year-old winger was forced off in the first half of Arsenal’s 5-1 victory over Crystal Palace on 21 December and was seen leaving the stadium on crutches.

After Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Ipswich Town on Friday, Arteta shed light on Saka’s injury.

“He had a procedure,” Arteta explained. “Everything went well, but unfortunately he will be out for many, many weeks. I said many weeks, so I think it will be more than two months. I don’t know exactly how much longer.

It will depend on how the scar tissue starts to heal in the first week or so, and the mobility of that. Let’s see, it’s very difficult to say.”

Saka’s injury comes at a critical point in the season, with Arsenal fighting on multiple fronts.

The team still has ongoing campaigns in the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup, and League Cup. In January alone, Arsenal will play nine matches.