Bukayo Saka suffered a torn hamstring during Arsenal's 5-1 win over Crystal Palace. Getty Images
Bukayo Saka suffered a torn hamstring during Arsenal's 5-1 win over Crystal Palace. Getty Images
Bukayo Saka suffered a torn hamstring during Arsenal's 5-1 win over Crystal Palace. Getty Images
Bukayo Saka suffered a torn hamstring during Arsenal's 5-1 win over Crystal Palace. Getty Images

Arsenal will be without Bukayo Saka for 'more than two months' following surgery on hamstring


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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta revealed that he expects Bukayo Sako to be out of action until March after the England winger underwent surgery on his torn hamstring.

The Spanish coach had previously said he expected Saka would be sidelined for “many weeks” after picking up the injury during Arsenal's 5-1 win against Crystal Palace last weekend.

In their first match since Saka's injury, Arsenal moved up to second in the Premier League table on Friday after a 1-0 home win over second-bottom Ipswich Town thanks to a first-half goal from Kai Havertz.

It meant the Gunners leapfrogged over Nottingham Forest and Chelsea, closing the gap on leaders Liverpool to six points, although the Merseysiders have a game in hand.

And after the match at the Emirates Stadium, Arteta went into more detail about the condition of Sakaa, who has five goals and 10 assists to his name this season.

“He had a procedure,” said Arteta. “Everything went well, but unfortunately he will be out for many, many weeks.

“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.”

Saka's absence comes at a point in the season when the fixture list becomes relentless with Arsenal still fighting on four fronts – the Premier League, Uefa Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup – and in January alone, the will face nine matches.

Next month sees them play five times in the Premier League League (including a North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur), two League Cup semi-finals ties against Newcastle United, a clash against Manchester United in the FA Cup third round and their final two Champions League group-stage matches (versus Dinamo Zagreb and Girona).

Saka joins on loan attacker Raheem Sterling, right-back Ben White and left-back Takehiro Tomiyasu on the sidelines with their next game coming away to Brentford on New Year's Day.

Brazilian attacker Gabriel Martinelli was given a nod for the Ipswich game which saw Arsenal enjoy 83 per cent of the possession but struggle to create clear-cut chances.

“For sure, three points at home is nice,” said Germany international Havertz after the match. “Tough opponent, it's hard to break them down. They didn't have a proper chance so we controlled the game well. We still could have scored one or two more goals.

“I try to help the team, it was a different role for me today. Everyone has to step up because we know Bukayo Saka is a very important player for us. But we have to adapt.”

Arteta was pleased with how the team coped without Saka. “Very good,” he said. “It will be different. We had moments in the second half. It is a unit that is new and will take time for players to understand fully.”

“Considering all the circumstances we had this season, the amount of times we had to play with 10 men, all the injuries that we had, it's good to be in the position that we are but it's not where we want to be. We want to be first.”

Midfielder Declan Rice said others now have to take extra responsibility in Saka's absence and believes his own performances are improving after recovering from the physical and mental exertion of England's run to the Euro 2024 final.

“Tonight was different without him – he's been our main man,” added Rice. “We're going to have to adapt. It's a great chance for players to step up over the coming months and make their mark.

“I had a slow start after the Euros but the last couple of weeks I've found my feet again and I'm feeling back to myself.”

There was also some brighter news about 30-year-old Chelsea loanee Sterling, though, with his knee injury not expected to keep him out as long as first feared.

“Yes, we have to see this week how he evolves,” added Arteta. “We probably expected the knee injury to take longer than it has evolved in the last few days. Hopefully that's good news because we need him.”

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Tips to stay safe during hot weather
  • Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
  • Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
  • Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
  • Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
  • Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
  • Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
  • Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021

Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.

The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.

These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.

“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.

“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.

“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.

“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”

Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.

There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.

“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.

“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.

“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”

Updated: December 28, 2024, 12:26 PM`