Report: When Bukayo Saka is actually expected to return from his hamstring injury at Arsenal
Today at 05:15 AM
It was certainly a significant moment in Arsenal's season when Bukayo Saka hit the turf injured at Selhurst Park during a 5-1 victory against Crystal Palace.
Arsenal secured a brilliant win away from home and Gabriel Jesus was flying in south London, but the win came at a great cost.
Saka was substituted in the 24th minute with Arsenal 2-1 up, and the winger has since undergone hamstring surgery.
Mikel Arteta has now been without his star winger for four games, yielding two wins, one draw and one defeat.
Arsenal simply haven't been able to replicate Saka's contributions since, even if Ethan Nwaneri was making a stellar effort before his own untimely injury.
And now Arteta may even be forced to turn to the January transfer window.
Mikel Arteta admits last few weeks have been very ‘strange’ for Bukayo Saka
All that said, Mirror Sport have now provided an updated timeline on Saka's return as well as sharing some fresh quotes from Arteta.
Saka has now been spotted around London Colney once again, although the England international is not expected to return to playing action until March at the very least.
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Arteta himself has admitted how strange these last few weeks have been for Saka, given that he's never really been significantly injured in his career before.
Arteta said: "He's been around a lot. It's great to have him. There's always a smile on his face.
"He's going through a period that is unknown for him because he has never been injured for such a long time.
“We have discussed the things we can do together and the things he can do to use the time in the right way to make him a better person, to make sure that he spends the time adequately with the opportunity that he has, so that when he comes back he is in the right place.
The Arsenal boss was then asked if Saka's injury was a result of the 27 appearances he's already made this season, because of the gruelling schedule.
He replied: "The answer is that we don't know. We don't know, if he had had one or two less games, whether he would not have got injured.
"Maybe not, because he has done it in the past. Nobody can answer that question. We can have our theories, our feelings, and look at every possible bit of data, but the answer is we don't know.”
Arsenal considering Bryan Mbeumo bid
Of course, with Saka still out for a significant period, the pressure on Arsenal to add attacking impetus in January has increased.
Bryan Mbeumo could be the answer for Arsenal, a left-footed winger who continues to go from strength to strength at Brentford.
Arsenal are interested in Mbeumo, even if Thomas Frank's side would be incredibly keen to keep the Cameroon international this month.
Brentford coped admirably after losing Ivan Toney in the summer, but Mbeumo is arguably even more important to the club's project, a 25-year-old who can play in several positions.
An important few weeks for Arsenal, who may even decide to wait for Ethan Nwaneri's return, saving their funds for the summer.
