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Arsenal fans have tracked a private flight to London which they believe is carrying the man who will replace their injured star Bukayo Saka.
But instead of an exciting new signing in January, speculation is rife over a midfielder the Gunners signed for £30m two years ago before loaning him back to his home club after failing to impress in London.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed that Saka has undergone a ‘procedure’ on the hamstring he injured during the 5-1 win over Crystal Palace on December 21 and expects the forward to miss more than two months of action.
After Arsenal’s unconvincing 1-0 win against Ipswich on Friday evening, Arteta said: ‘I would rather leave that to the doctor but he (Saka) has had a procedure and will be out for many, many weeks. I think it will take more than two months, I don’t know exactly how many.’
On Saturday, Saka posted a photo of herself on Instagram after surgery and promised to come back stronger.
Arsenal were not at their best in the Emirates. With Kai Havertz’s goal from close range in the first half, the hosts had to show their dominance.
Bukayo Saka suffered the injury during Arsenal’s win over Crystal Palace on December 21
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes Saka will be out for at least two months
Fabio Vieira failed to impress during his time at the Emirates but could be recalled
Havertz said the onus is on him and his teammates to step up and fill the void left by Saka. Havertz told Amazon Prime: “Everyone has to step up because we know that Bukayo Saka is a very important player for us. But we have to adapt. “I’m trying to help the team, it was a different role for me today.”
And Arsenal supporters believe Arteta will turn to Porto loanee Fabio Vieira, who made just five league starts in his 49 appearances for the Gunners.
Vieira is on a season-long loan at Porto – from whom Arsenal signed him in 2022 – but the club reportedly have the option to recall him and supporters eagerly followed a private flight from Porto to London.
One supporter wrote on
Arsenal’s win over Ipswich closed the gap to six points on leaders Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table. They then travel to Brentford for a tricky New Year’s Day clash.