Mikel Arteta Confirms Bukayo Saka’s Hamstring Injury as Arsenal Thrash Crystal Palace

Arsenal delivered a stunning 5-1 win against Crystal Palace, but the victory came with a worrying setback as Bukayo Saka was forced off due to a hamstring injury. The Gunners put on an impressive performance at Selhurst Park, climbing to third place in the Premier League table, but Saka’s injury cast a shadow over their dominant display.

The game started with a bang as Gabriel Jesus, fresh off his Carabao Cup hat-trick against the same opponent, scored twice, while Ismaila Sarr gave Palace some hope with a brilliant early strike. Kai Havertz made it 3-1 before halftime with a well-taken goal, and second-half strikes from Gabriel Martinelli and Declan Rice sealed a comfortable win for Arsenal.

However, the sight of Saka limping off in the 24th minute dampened the celebrations. The 22-year-old winger, who has been in sensational form with five goals and ten assists this season, was later seen leaving the stadium on crutches, sparking concerns about his availability for Arsenal’s busy festive schedule.

Speaking after the match, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta expressed concern over Saka’s condition. “He felt something in his hamstring and couldn’t continue,” Arteta said. “We’re pretty worried. It’s not good news, obviously, but we’ll have to assess him and wait to see how bad it is.”

Despite the injury setback, Arteta was full of praise for his team’s performance. “It’s always tough to come here and play this team, especially twice in three days,” he said. “We started well, had some moments of doubt, but then we regained control. Scoring five away from home in the Premier League is remarkable. I’m very happy with the team’s clinical finishing.”

Arsenal’s next games are crucial as the Gunners aim to maintain momentum during a packed December schedule. However, Saka’s potential absence could pose a significant challenge, as his creativity and consistency have been key to Arsenal’s strong start to the season.

Fans and the club now anxiously await updates on Saka’s condition, hoping the injury isn’t as serious as it first appeared. In the meantime, Arsenal will look to carry forward the confidence from their impressive victory into the rest of their campaign.