Five crucial Arsenal games Bukayo Saka could miss with injury following nightmare Mikel Arteta update

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Arsenal are set to be without Bukayo Saka for the foreseeable future as the winger underwent surgery.

Mikel Arteta confirmed that Saka required surgery to fix a hamstring injury he sustained against Crystal Palace.

The winger hobbled off in the first half of the contest before Saka was spotted on crutches after the win at Selhurst Park.

Now, Arsenal must make do without their star player, as Saka could face up to four months on the sidelines.

• READ MORE: Gabriel Martinelli makes Arsenal promise to teammate Bukayo Saka after injury blow

Crucial Arsenal games Bukayo Saka could miss 

While the true timeframe of Saka’s absence remains unclear, it’s understood that the winger will not feature for the Gunners until at least March.

In that time, Arsenal face a list of crucial fixtures in all competitions, games that the opponents will be relieved to not have to deal with the 23-year-old’s excellence. 

To emphasise his quality, Saka is a player tipped to win the Ballon d’Or one day, telling of the mission Arteta has to try and keep the Arsenal squad’s form intact. 

While every game from now until the end of the season could be considered a must-win in a bid to collect silverware, here are five of the biggest clashes Saka is in line to miss.

Between mid to late January, Arsenal have been scheduled three blockbuster games at the Emirates, starting with the FA Cup tie against Manchester United. 

Three days later, the Gunners welcome Tottenham to N5 in a North London Derby, a game Saka will not want to miss.

Saka loves playing against Spurs, with the derby one of the most painful events for the Hale End product to sit out.

In early February, Arsenal then welcome Manchester City to the Emirates in the Premier League, in what is set to be an action-packed few weeks. 

Mid-February marks the start of the next phase of the Champions League format, with Arsenal’s status and opponents still undetermined at this moment. 

Late February and early March present Arteta’s side with a further two trialling Premier League fixtures, coming in the form of Nottingham Forest away and then Manchester United at Old Trafford.

The United clash takes us up to March 8th, when many will hope to see Saka close to returning.

Why Arsenal will miss Saka so much

With 22 goal contributions in only 24 appearances in all competitions this season, the extent to which Arsenal will miss Saka doesn’t require much explanation.

The right-winger is head and shoulders above the rest of Arsenal’s attack this campaign, leading the way from the flank as the Gunners’ greatest threat.

Such is clear by him leading with the most assists, shots, key passes, dribbles and crosses in the Arsenal squad this season in the Premier League, via WhoScored. 

Arteta has to find a solution of how to truly cope without his leading playmaker, as it might just determine the outcome of Arsenal’s season.