Mikel Arteta will be without four key players when Arsenal host Ipswich Town at the Emirates Stadium on Friday. The Gunners must secure a win to capitalise on Chelsea’s loss to Fulham and maintain their pursuit of league leaders Liverpool, who staged a comeback victory against Leicester City on Boxing Day.
Among the absentees is Bukayo Saka, who will be out for “many weeks,” Arteta confirmed during his pre-match press conference on Monday. The Arsenal winger suffered a hamstring injury during Saturday’s 5-1 triumph over Crystal Palace, limping off in the 24th minute to be replaced by Leandro Trossard.
Saka’s absence marks a rare setback for Arsenal. Over the past three seasons, the England international has missed only 10 of Arsenal’s 172 matches in all competitions. Since making his Premier League debut six seasons ago, he has never missed more than one league game at a time due to injury.