Huge blow for Arsenal, as Saka is sidelined for weeks

LONDON — Bukayo Saka will be sidelined for "many weeks" after suffering a hamstring injury in Arsenal's 5-1 win at Crystal Palace, with manager Mikel Arteta describing his loss as a "huge" blow.

The England winger went down midway through the first half at Selhurst Park on Saturday, and had to be replaced by Leandro Trossard.

"It is not looking good. He will be out for many weeks," Arteta said at a news conference on Monday, adding he could not be more specific.

The Spaniard said the loss of the 23-year-old, who has nine goals and 13 assists in all competitions this season, would force him into a rethink.

"Obviously he's a big player for us," he said. "You just have to see the impact that he has on the team, but it's going to be a really good exercise for all of us to think about ways to overcome another challenge, because we've already had a lot in the season."

Arteta said Saka was "gutted" and "really emotional" after discovering the extent of his injury.

He also revealed that fellow winger Raheem Sterling had injured his knee and would be out for a number of weeks.

"We have to look internally at what we have and be creative," said the Gunners boss, adding that he did not know if the club would sign a winger in the January transfer window.

Saka was filmed leaving Selhurst Park on crutches, souring what had been a comprehensive second win over the Palace in four days.

Arteta, whose third-placed team faces Premier League struggler Ipswich on Friday, said he was confident that Saka would be back well before the end of the season.

"It's part of the development of a player," he said. "At some stage, at this level, you are going to get injured — unfortunately badly.

"It could have been worse, it could have been something else that can take you out for a year. It's how you react to that, how you overcome that situation."

Arteta said he was "putting some ideas together" about how to cope in the winger's absence.

"We got through the period (this season without) Martin (Odegaard), we got through the period with five, six defenders missing, we got through the period without many other players," he said.

"We will continue to do that — finding ways, and taking it with positive energy."

Amorim questions

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has questioned the "choices" of those close to forward Marcus Rashford, whose time at Old Trafford could be coming to an end.

The 27-year-old England international sat out a third straight game on Sunday, as United slumped to a 3-0 home loss to Bournemouth.

Rashford was also omitted from the squad for the derby win at Manchester City earlier this month and Thursday's League Cup quarterfinal defeat to Tottenham.

Two days before the Spurs loss, Rashford said in an interview that he was "ready for a new challenge and the next steps" of a career that began in the United academy.

"It is a hard situation, but I understand that this kind of player has a lot of people around them, and making some choices that sometimes are not the first idea of the player," Amorim told Sky Sports on Monday.

"They chose to do that interview, because it's not just Marcus. I understand that, so, for me as a coach, I'm just focused on the performance, the way he trains.

"The rest, I think, is better for me and the club to deal with when the time comes."

Amorim also expressed his support for Rashford, who is under contract until 2028, and is keen for the player to stay at United.

The Portuguese said that he can "separate" his relationship with Rashford from the decisions of the people advising him.

"At the moment, I'm just focused on improving Marcus," added Amorim.

"We need a lot in this moment, (from a) talented guy like Marcus, and I forget, for now, the interview. I just see what I see on the pitch."

United's defeat to Bournemouth left it 13th in the Premier League, its lowest position in the top flight at Christmas since 1986.

Van Dijk says 'no deadline'

Virgil van Dijk says there is "no deadline" regarding his contract situation, as the clock ticks down to the end of his Liverpool deal.

The Netherlands international's current contract expires at the end of the season, and, from Jan 1, he will be able to negotiate with overseas clubs.

However, it is understood the 33-year-old's preference is to stay at Anfield.

"There is no deadline at all. We will see what the future brings. Is there an update? No," he said.

Van Dijk is one of three key players whose deals are entering their final six months, the others being Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah.

Salah moved to fourth on Liverpool's all-time list of scorers, with 229 goals, after his two strikes in the 6-3 hammering of Tottenham on Sunday.

The Egypt international has 18 goals so far this season, including 15 in the Premier League, and also has 15 assists.

Salah scored 44 goals in all competitions during his debut season for Liverpool in 2017-18.

Van Dijk hopes the 32-year-old forward can go on to have his best campaign for the club, which is four points clear at the top of the Premier League.

"The numbers speak for themselves," he said. "He's a very special athlete. He's done amazingly for the club, and, hopefully, he'll play his best season ever, keep providing goals and assists and be clinical."

AFP