BUKAYO BLOW
Bukayo Saka undergoes surgery and set for MONTHS out as Mikel Arteta gives update on Arsenal star’s injury
Arsenal may need attacking reinforcement in the January transfer window
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ARSENAL star Bukayo Saka is set for MONTHS out after undergoing surgery.
Saka, 23, was forced off just 23 minutes into the Gunners' 5-1 thrashing of Crystal Palace with a hamstring injury last week.
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Matches Bukayo Saka is set to miss
Here are the matches Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is set to miss after his hamstring injury:
Brentford (A) - Jan 1
Brighton (A) - Jan 4
Newcastle (H) Carabao Cup - Jan 7
Man Utd (H) FA Cup - Jan 12
Tottenham (H) - Jan 15
Aston Villa (H) - Jan 18
Dinamo Zagreb (H) Champions League - Jan 22
Wolves (A) - Jan 25
Girona (A) Champions League - Jan 29
Man City (H) - Feb 2
Newcastle (A) Carabao Cup - Feb 5
Leicester (A) - Feb 15
West Ham (H) - Feb 22
Nottingham Forest (A) - Feb 25
And manager Mikel Arteta issued a bleak update regarding his star winger's fitness as he confirmed he underwent a procedure.
The Arsenal boss confirmed the England international may be out for more than two months.
Arteta said: “I prefer to leave it to the doctor or himself.
"But yes Bukayo had a procedure and everything went well, but unfortunately he will be out for many, many weeks.
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“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, the first week or so, the mobility of that. Let's see, it's very difficult to say.
“We have to rely on the team, that is our strength, we are a team of players who can score 20-30 goals together.”
Saka has been a focal point for Arsenal this season as he dominated opponents down the right flank.
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The forward has amassed a total of nine goals and 13 assists in 24 appearances across all competitions this season.
And Saka's injury poses as a blow to the North Londoners' Premier League title hopes after climbing to second place behind leaders Liverpool, who are six points ahead with a game in hand.
Arsenal player ratings: Havertz shines in different role but Jesus can't keep up hot streak against Ipswich
That could force Arteta's hand ahead of the upcoming January transfer window.
Many have claimed that Arsenal have been in need of attacking reinforcement since the summer as they lack a natural centre-forward.
That has led to links with the likes of Sporting Lisbon's Victor Gyokeres, Lille's Jonathan David, Napoli's Victor Osimhen and Eintracht Frankfurt's Omar Marmoush.
Most recent reports have claimed the Premier League giants could also move for Wolves' Matheus Cunha and Paris Saint-Germain's Randal Kolo Muani.
Kai Havertz, who scored the winner against Ipswich on Friday during Saka's absence, has been carrying the burden up front for most of the season.
Arteta appears open to tackle the winter market as he said that "preparation is done” and Arsenal are ready to spend in January “if something happens .”
The Spanish tactician said when asked if the club planned to do business this coming month: "Yes, the preparation is done. We are ready if something happens.
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"Obviously we didn’t predict the situation with Bukayo and Raheem [Sterling] at the same time. We predicted more if something has happened, for example, in the defensive line. But the job is done.
"Then, okay, if something has to happen we will be open. But the main focus is now how we should strive to distil the potential that there is in this squad.”
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Arsenal ratings vs Ipswich
ARSENAL leapfrogged Chelsea back into second in the Premier League table with a 1-0 win over Ipswich.
Kai Havertz's close-range finish midway through the first half proved to be the difference between the title-chasing Gunners and relegation-threatened Tractor Boys.
Here's how SunSport's Katherine Walsh rated the Arsenal players at the Emirates Stadium…
David Raya - 5
Cut a lonely figure and must have been cold standing on his goal-line for most of the first half as his team-mates enjoyed 84 per cent possession.
Had his first touch on 31 minutes but was called upon more in the second half as Ipswich grew into the game.
Jurrien Timber - 6
Got the fans on their feet with a glorious run through the middle of the park inside 19 minutes, but his limp long range shot was easily kept out by Muric.
Clearly had a licence to roam, cutting in from full-back and driving up the pitch.
William Saliba - 7
Joined Gabriel in the highest line set-up of the season. The pair of them were at the edge of Muric's box for most of the first half.
The Frenchman was solid in dealing with a boisterous Liam Delap.
Gabriel - 8
Great game for the Brazilian to ease back into 90 minutes after starting against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Caused his usual nuisance in the opposition area from corners but missed a sitter from a Rice set-piece in the 64th minute.
Myles Lewis-Skelly - 7
Getting more and more impressive each week. The way he moves with that low centre of gravity makes him so hard to dispossess.
But a poor clearance saw Ipswich enjoy a first spell of possession before the hour mark.
The 18-year-old was poked and prodded by Ipswich striker Delap and Kalvin Phillips at times but dealt with it well.
Declan Rice - 7
Rice was pushed into a defensive No6 role but didn't have to stay there long.
Energetic as always and added another level of attack he got his foot on the ball and won a dangerous free kick on the edge of the area.
Kai Havertz - 8
Officially back in midfield in Saka's absence after having played most of the season up top.
But the German was in the perfect elusive centre-forward’s position to tap home with a breakthrough opener inside 23 minutes.
Rotated and exchanged the No9 role - perhaps Arteta has found a new partnership that may see them through this spell without Saka.
Martin Odegaard - 6
Rare off evening for the Arsenal captain but nothing too drastic. Uncharacteristic air ball inside six minutes and wasn't as sharp in his passing.
Perhaps missing the chemistry he has with Saka and lost the ball cheaply at times.
Gabriel Martinelli - 6
All eyes were on the winger as he filled in for Saka on the right-hand side.
The Brazilian perhaps lacks the directness of the Gunners’ starboy, but he saw plenty of the ball and linked up well with Jesus.
Whipped the first ball in for Havertz's goal which came out to Trossard who provided the assist.
Leandro Trossard - 7
Started on the left and kept the ball alive to steal a yard on Ben Johnson and provide Havertz with a wicked cross and his 12th goal of the season.
Troubled Ipswich's Johnson with his direct running and tireless work rate throughout.
Gabriel Jesus - 5
Jesus clearly had the bit between his teeth at the moment after last week’s goal rush.
Couldn’t quite hold his run well enough when breaking through after 34 minutes for his offside goal. Perhaps over eager at that moment.
Looked disappointed when he was subbed off with 20 minutes remaining.
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