Mikel Arteta admits Arsenal ‘nervous’ by Bukayo Saka damage replace as star on crutches

Arsenal cruised to a 5-1 victory over Crystal Palace, but their win was marred by an injury to star man Bukayo Saka, who was forced off inside 20 minutes

Mikel Arteta has confessed he’s “worried” about Arsenal ace Bukayo Saka’s injury sustained during their resounding 5-1 victory against Crystal Palace.

The 23-year-old England international was substituted midway through the first half when he seemed to injure his hamstring delivering a cross. He went straight to the tunnel following treatment, igniting worries regarding the extent of his injury.With a jam-packed Premier League fixture list on the horizon due to the festive period, Saka was observed departing Selhurst Park supported by crutches. Reflecting on the incident post-game, Arteta remarked about Saka: “We are pretty worried about Saka’s injury.”

He elaborated on his concern by stating, “He grabbed his hamstring and couldn’t continue. He will have to be assessed but we are pretty worried, yes,” reports the Mirror.

Arteta told Match of the Day: “He felt something. It is too early to assess him. It was a precaution with him right now.”

Though Arsenal anxiously await news on Saka amidst a schedule brimming with crucial clashes, they’ve been buoyed by Gabriel Jesus finding his stride, netting twice to break his 11-month Premier League scoring drought in Saturday’s clash a follow-up to his hat-trick heroics in the Gunners’ 3-2 Carabao Cup quarter-final win over Palace.He expressed: “Obviously the first goal was very important early. The way we started, the full team was really ready to play well and fight.

“They have a strong team and quality players and we know it is always difficult to come here. We did the job and I am very happy with the goals as a number nine.

“I know the pressure is always on to score. I am happy but the win, the three points, was massive today.”