Bukayo Saka injury in Crystal Palace win has Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta 'pretty worried'

React to this story

Bukayo Saka lasted just 24 minutes before he needed to be replaced in Arsenal's 5-1 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday. The England international clutched his leg after crossing the ball, raising concerns of a hamstring injury. Saka has already missed part of the season with a hamstring injury and Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has admitted he is "pretty worried" about his player.

‘The comments didn’t help matters’ – Crouch, McCoist on ‘strange’ Rashford interview

Video credit: TNT Sports

Mikel Arteta said that he is "pretty worried" about winger Bukayo Saka, who pulled up with a suspected hamstring injury in Arsenal's thumping win over Crystal Palace on Saturday.

The Gunners secured a dominant 5-1 win at Selhurst Park as Gabriel Jesus added to his haul against Palace this week with a brace - after the hat-trick he scored against The Eagles in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.

Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Declan Rice were all on target as Arteta's side kept within touching distance of Liverpool and Chelsea at the top of the Premier League.

Premier League

Havertz targets 'all the trophies' and aims for Arsenal to 'reach another level'

02/08/2026 at 23:43

But they did not come away from south London totally unscathed, with superstar winger Saka forced off after 24 minutes. The England international reached for his hamstring after delivering a cross.

"He felt something in his hamstring," Arteta said. "He could not continue, he had to be assessed. We are pretty worried."

The Arsenal manager added: "It is not good news, obviously. We have to assess him."

Saka, marking his 250th Arsenal appearance against Palace, has been hugely influential on the right-hand side for The Gunners in this campaign, with 22 goal contributions in 23 games across all competitions.

The 23-year-old has struggled with injuries this season, with growing concern that the problem he picked up against Palace is a reoccurrence of the hamstring injury he sustained on England duty in October.

Any absence would come at a bad time for Arsenal, who face a packed schedule over the festive period and New Year, where they will play eight times across four competitions in the space of 27 days.

Arteta: Title race 'on' for Arsenal

Arsenal may not have been in their best shape against the likes of Fulham and Everton in recent weeks, but Saturday's triumph stretched the team's undefeated run to nine games.

Declan Rice celebrates his goal against Crystal Palace.

Image credit: Getty Images

They have closed the gap to three points on league leaders Liverpool - who have two games in hand - while they are a point behind Chelsea who occupy second place.

"We are not even halfway [through the season], so we're going to try [to win the title], certainly," Arteta told Sky Sports. "For us, it's on."

Next, Arsenal take on Ipswich Town a couple of days after Christmas and then make the short trip to Brentford on New Year's Day before travelling south to face Brighton & Hove Albion.

"We certainly want it, but we have to show it for 10 months and the demands are incredible," Arteta said.

"To play every three days for 12, 13 weeks, like we are demanded to play, is absolutely crazy. We are trying our best."

Not only is Saka - who left Selhurst Park on crutches - a doubt for Arsenal's upcoming matches, Raheem Sterling was also left out of the squad after he reportedly "felt something" in training on Friday.

"Unfortunately, today, again, we lost some players," Arteta added. "It's happening to every team, but we're certainly going to try [and win the title]."

- - -

Stream the 2024-25 Premier League live on TNT Sports and discovery+

Premier League