Arsenal endured a turbulent opening 25 minutes against Crystal Palace, conceding one goal and narrowly avoiding another, but the most significant setback was the injury to Bukayo Saka.
The winger, a cornerstone of Arsenal’s attack, has been ever-present this season, starting 16 of their 17 Premier League matches, with his only absence resulting in a 2-0 loss to Bournemouth in October.
Known for his resilience, Saka often finds himself on the receiving end of rough treatment from defenders. Despite enduring constant fouls and spending considerable time on the ground, the 23-year-old usually gets back up to lead Arsenal’s forward drives.
However, during this chaotic clash with Palace, which Arsenal eventually won 5-1, Saka was unable to shake off a hamstring issue that forced him off in the first half.
The injury occurred in the 25th minute after Saka delivered a cutback pass to Martin Odegaard in the Palace penalty area. Left-back Tyrick Mitchell challenged Saka as he made the play, leaving the winger grounded and clutching his hamstring. Arsenal’s medical team conducted a brief examination before manager Mikel Arteta decided to substitute Saka, who could no longer continue.
Arteta provided little clarity about Saka’s condition post-match, stating, “He felt something. It’s too early to assess him. It was a precaution with him right now.” The cautious approach highlights the importance of Saka to Arsenal’s plans, as his contributions have been vital this season.
The winger has registered a team-high five Premier League goals and ten assists, leading the division in the latter category.
Leandro Trossard came on as Saka’s replacement but lacks the same attacking consistency and creative spark. Despite this setback, Arsenal rallied to secure a commanding victory over Palace, with Gabriel Jesus scoring twice on either side of an Ismaila Sarr equalizer.
The festive fixture list offers a sliver of hope for Saka’s recovery. Arsenal’s next game is against struggling Ipswich Town at the Emirates Stadium on Friday, 27 December.
This is followed by a New Year’s Day trip to Brentford and a challenging away match at Brighton on 4 January. With this schedule, Arsenal will be desperate for Saka to return to full fitness as they aim to maintain momentum in their campaign.
