Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka is out for “several weeks” with a torn hamstring.

Saka limped off in the 24th minute of Arsenal’s game against Crystal Palace on Saturday, and while the Gunners went on to win 5-1, the win was marred by the England winger’s injury, which left him leaning on He left the field on crutches.

“Things are not looking good and he will be out for a few weeks,” Arteta told a press conference on Monday.

“I can’t be too specific because I don’t know, but it’s going to take many weeks.

“He’s devastated. You can tell he’s not hurt because he’s very emotional and down and we have to cheer him up. It’s part of his job, a big part of his job. He’s going to be fine, but he It will take a few days.”

Asked about the blow of losing Saka, Arteta replied: “It’s a big blow, he’s an important player for us.

“You have to see the impact he has on this team, but it’s a good workout for all of us to overcome another challenge because we’ve been through a lot this season.”

This is not the first time Saka has suffered a hamstring injury this season. He limped out for several weeks while playing for England in October, missing Arsenal’s 2-0 loss to Bournemouth.

Asked if Saka’s season would be over, Arteta said: “No. In football, injuries are something you can’t put ten fingers on, but I’m very optimistic that he will be at the end of the season. Pre-rehabilitation.”

Arsenal still beat Crystal Palace without Saka, with Gabriel Jesus scoring twice and Gabriel Martinelli, who moved to the right wing after Saka came off, adding a goal and assists.

“Gabby (Jesus) plays there (on the right), Ethan (Nwaneri) plays there, Leo (Trossard) plays there, Kai (Haverts) can play there , ask him to do different things and we will try to say the same for them,” Arteta said.

“I’m putting together some ideas but they’re not there yet. But I have some ideas and then I want to talk to them about how we’re going to generate those ideas and approach it in a positive way. That’s what that means we’re going to be different.”

Sterling has also ruled it out – so will Arsenal make a move in January?

Saka’s injury adds to Saka’s losses Raheem Sterling In training.

Arteta confirmed that the on-loan Chelsea winger will also be out for some time.

“I believe he will be out for a few weeks,” Arteta added. “He needs some further tests. It’s his knee and we have to see the results within 24 hours but unfortunately he will be out for a while.”

With both first-choice players on the right wing injured, Arteta was then asked whether Arsenal would make a move for the position in the January transfer window.

“We have to look internally at what we have and get creative,” he said. “It was a really good practice again, how do we shape the team and adapt to the environment?

“And be different. We can’t pretend to be the same, we have to be different and find the best way to do it, stay competitive and win a lot of games.

“My intention now is within the team and with what we have, make the most of it.

“You’re probably right: someone can score 40 goals. What we have is what we have and I’m happy with what we have and they tried fully to do everything we asked. We have enough quality in the squad .how do we use it?

“The preparations have been done and if something happens we are ready. We did not foresee the absence of Bukayo and Raheem at the same time. At the same time, we predicted more things to happen in the defence, but the job is done .

“Well then, if something has to happen, we’re open to that. But the main focus right now is how do we maintain the structure and potential of this team?”

Analysis: How would Arsenal cope without Saka?

Sam Blitz, Sky Sports:

Saka’s injury is big news for Arsenal. The England winger has an impeccable injury history and Arteta has often spoken of consistency and availability as his greatest attributes.

Since making his Premier League debut in 2019, Saka has never missed consecutive Premier League games due to injury. Saka has missed just four top-flight games in the past two and a half seasons.

Whenever he takes a hit, he bounces right back – so it was all new territory for Arteta’s Arsenal until they lost him in February.

Considering how reliant Arsenal are on Saka on the right, this is a major blow. The Gunners attacked from the right 46% of the time – the highest proportion of attacks from the flank in the Premier League this season – in part because Saka and Martin Odegaard ventured down the right flank.

So how will Arsenal cope, especially with Sterling – the player brought in for Saka in the summer – also set to take some time off the sidelines?

The next player up is Gabriel Martinelli, who replaces Saka on the right wing at Crystal Palace. The Brazilian also started on the right in Arsenal’s win over Everton on the final day of last season, the only game Saka missed last season.

Gabriel Jesus is another option on the right wing, where Arteta has previously used the striker, but Arsenal’s No.9 has just found some form again in the centre. Now is not the time to move Jesus again.

So what Arsenal need to deal with now is the weakened right wing and the left wing that has failed to impress this season. It’s time for Martinelli and Leandro Trossard to step up.

There is also the option of a January transfer window. Arsenal’s previous stance on the transfer market has been that they will only take action if a long-term transfer target emerges or if injuries force them to take action. With Marcus Rashford looking for a new challenge, this could be a tempting option…

Arsenal next games

Ipswich Town (home) – Premier League – Friday 27 December

Brentford (away) – Premier League – Wednesday 1 January

Brighton (guest) – Premier League – Live Saturday 4th January sky sports

Newcastle (home) – League Cup semi-final first leg – live on Tuesday 7 January sky sports

Manchester United (home) – FA Cup Third Round – Sunday 12 January

Tottenham Hotspur (home) – Premier League – Wednesday 15 January

Aston Villa (home) – Premier League – Saturday 18 January, live on Sky Sports

Dinamo Zagreb (home) – Premier League – Wednesday 22 January

Wolves (away) – Premier League – Saturday 25 January

Girona (guest) – Premier League – Wednesday 29 January

Manchester City (home) – Premier League – Live Sunday 2 February sky sports

Newcastle(guest) – Carabao Cup semi-final second leg – live on Wednesday 5 February sky sports