Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal will need time to adapt without Bukayo Saka after their win over Ipswich – as the Gunners boss reveals the forward could be out for ‘more than two months’
- Arsenal defeated Ipswich on Friday thanks to a first-half goal from Kai Havertz
- Mikel Arteta revealed that Bukayo Saka will be on the sidelines for an extended period of time
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Arsenal’s hard-fought victory over Ipswich was marred by manager Mikel Arteta, who confirmed that Bukayo Saka has undergone a ‘procedure’ on his injured hamstring and is expected to miss more than two months of action.
Saka suffered the blow in last weekend’s 5-1 win over Crystal Palace, with Mail Sport reporting earlier this week that the forward could be ruled out until March.
Asked about the latest on Saka’s condition, Arteta said: ‘I would rather leave that to the doctor, but I can confirm that he (Saka) has undergone 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.”
Pressed on a timetable for Saka’s recovery, the Spaniard said: ‘I think it will take more than two months. I don’t know exactly how many.’
Arsenal were not at their best in the Emirates on Friday, with Kai Havertz’s goal in the first half forcing the hosts to show their dominance. Arteta admitted he was frustrated with his side’s failure to put the game to bed.
Arsenal climbed to second place in the Premier League on Friday with a 1-0 win over Ipswich
Mikel Arteta revealed after the match that Bukayo Saka has undergone a ‘procedure’ following his recent injury
Saka suffered a hamstring injury against Crystal Palace last week and will be out for ‘more than two months’, according to Arteta
“Very happy with the win, the clean sheet and big parts of the game,” Arteta said. ‘It was a very difficult opposition.
“We had some big openings in the second half when we were more aggressive. We should have scored more.’
Match winner Havertz, meanwhile, said the onus is on him and his teammates to step up and fill the void left by Saka.
He told Amazon Prime: “Everyone has to step up because we know 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.”
Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna was disappointed his side failed to convert on one of the few chances in the second half.
He said: “We came into the game well and got some momentum at the end of the first half and were able to get into some good positions in the second half.
“There were a few situations late in the game where we could have shown more belief, but we were too hesitant.”