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Arsenal sent brutally honest Liverpool verdict as Bukayo Saka injury timeline comes to light

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Bukayo Saka’s recent injury may have a huge impact on Arsenal’s Premier League title chances.

Arsenal are already in a difficult position as far as the Premier League title race is concerned. 

Liverpool are currently six points ahead of the Gunners at the top of the table, with a game in hand, with the halfway point of the campaign fast approaching. 

Position Team Played MP Won W Drawn D Lost L For GF Against GA Diff GD Points Pts
1 LiverpoolLiverpool16 12 3 1 37 16 21 39
2 ChelseaChelsea17 10 5 2 37 19 18 35
3 ArsenalArsenal17 9 6 2 34 16 18 33
4 Nottm ForestNottingham Forest17 9 4 4 23 19 4 31

Of course, there is still plenty of football to be played, and Arsenal are still in the title race. However, there is little margin for error left available to Mikel Arteta’s side. 

On top of that, Arsenal are now likely to be without Bukayo Saka for some time following his injury against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Crystal Palace FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images

Can Arsenal win the Premier League without Bukayo Saka?

Saka is a talismanic figure for Arsenal and has been the Gunners’ most productive attacker so far this season. He also shares a great connection with Martin Odegaard, and this relationship has often proved the key to unlocking opposition defences. 

Gabriel Martinelli impressed in Saka’s position against Crystal Palace, but losing the Hale End academy graduate is still a major setback, especially if he is sidelined for as long as feared. 

As far as Craig Burley is concerned, the loss of the England international could be the final nail in the coffin for Arsenal’s Premier League title chances this season.

Asked on ESPN if Arsenal can compete with Liverpool without Saka, the pundit made his position clear.

He said: “I don’t think so. They’ve been so, sort of, lopsided; Odegaard coming back and him and Saka linking up, but on the left-hand side they’ve not been as productive. You take Saka out and no [they can’t compete with Liverpool], not for a long period.”

Bukayo Saka injury latest

An injury timescale for Saka has now been reported. The winger could miss the Gunners’ ten games in January after he damaged his hamstring at Selhurst Park.

Whilst there has been no official word from the club on the player’s fitness since Saturday, the fact that Saka was seen leaving Selhurst Park on crutches certainly doesn’t bode well for his condition.

The 23-year-old has been able to recover quickly from knocks in the past, but even with all that is at stake, Arteta would be unwise to take the risk of rushing the player back too quickly if there is a chance that it could cause him further fitness issues down the line.