Alan Shearer challenges four Arsenal players to improve after Bukayo Saka injury blow

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Arsenal returned to winning ways in the Premier League however, the win against Crystal Palace was clouded by injury.

Gabriel Jesus starred as Arsenal beat Palace 5-1 at Selhurst Park, rubbing salt into the wounds they caused the Eagles earlier in the week.

While Mikel Arteta was happy with how his side performed against Palace, the Arsenal manager was handed a significant blow early into the contest.

Bukayo Saka limped off the pitch in the first half with what appeared to be a hamstring injury, causing instant worry to set in.

• READ MORE: Injury expert explains what Bukayo Saka leaving on crutches now means for Arsenal

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Arsenal’s worry grew as Saka left Selhurst Park on crutches after coming off in the first half, resulting in fans debating the best replacement for the star.

Having contributed 44% of the Gunners’ goals in the Premier League this term, losing the Hale End graduate would be a significant blow for Arsenal.

The early understanding is that Saka could be out for weeks with a hamstring injury, which would see the winger miss a host of crucial fixtures. 

It would be an unfathomable loss for the North Londoners, as pundits Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer echoed on The Rest Is Football podcast.

“That would be a big, big loss for Arsenal if he’s out for a couple of months,” Lineker said before Shearer sent a strong message to those who could replace the forward in the squad.

“You take his goals and his assists and everything he does for that Arsenal team, if he’s going to be out for a period, it’ll be a huge blow for them no doubt.

“We spoke about Jesus on Saturday, he’s got to keep up that. They’ve got Havertz, they’ve got Trossard, they’ve got Martinelli.

“They’ve still got plenty of options but none of them can do what Saka can do or give what Saka can give. They’re going to have to keep going and get him back sooner rather than later.”

Shearer emphasised how far behind Arsenal’s other forwards are from Saka’s level, with the academy graduate leading the way in the front line this season by some distance. 

How Saka compares to other Arsenal forwards   

While Jesus has been in stellar form for Arsenal this week, the Brazilian can’t restore the goals that could be missed as a result of Saka’s absence.

The same can be said of the forwards mentioned by Shearer, as the numbers reinforce just how impactful the Englishman is in comparison to his teammates.

Saka has created 19 big chances in the Premier League this season, followed by Trossard after him with just four – excluding Martin Odegaard’s five.

It’s a big concern for Arteta and one that the manager must seek to resolve without fuss, as the Gunners wait to learn the exact timeframe of their star player’s absence.