Arsenal XI vs Ipswich: Bukayo Saka injury latest, confirmed team news and predicted lineup for Premier League

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Evening Standard

·23 December 2024

Arsenal XI vs Ipswich: Bukayo Saka injury latest, confirmed team news and predicted lineup for Premier League

Gunners will be forced into reshuffle in attack for Ipswich’s visit

Arsenal will begin life without Bukayo Saka when they host Ipswich on Friday.

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Saka injured his hamstring during Arsenal’s 5-1 win at Crystal Palace last Saturday and left Selhurst Park on crutches.

Mikel Arteta has since confirmed the winger will be out for “many weeks” and the Gunners will also have to cope without Raheem Sterling.

The 30-year-old would most likely have come into the team in place of Saka, but he is out with a knee issue.

“It’s not looking good. He (Saka) is going to be out for many weeks,” said Arteta. “I cannot be too specific because I don’t know, but it will be many weeks.”

Saka and Sterling being out means Arteta will have to get creative to find a solution for how Arsenal find someone to play on the right wing.

Bukayo Saka will be out “for many weeks” in a huge blow for Arsenal

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Gabriel Martinelli is an option and played there during Saturday’s win at Crystal Palace after Saka went off.

Arteta has also suggested Ethan Nwaneri, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard could play there if needed.

“We have to look internally at what we have and be creative,” said Arteta. “It’s a good exercise again of how can we mould the squad, how can we adapt to the circumstances and how can we be different.

“We’re not going to be the same. We’re going to be different. Try and find the best way to do it and win games.”

Gabriel Jesus should keep his place in the team as Arsenal’s No9 on Friday, which means Arteta faces a dilemma over what to do with Havertz.

The German played in midfield against Palace, however the Gunners lacked control in midfield and so Declan Rice may go back in.

In defence, Myles Lewis-Skelly has started the last two Premier League games at left-back but may lose his place to the fit-again Riccardo Calafiori.

Predicted Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Martinelli, Jesus, Trossard

Injured: Saka (hamstring), Sterling (knee), Tomiyasu (knee), White (knee)

Time and date: 8:15pm GMT on Friday December 27, 2024

TV channel: Amazon Prime

Venue: Emirates Stadium

Referee: Darren England

Arsenal squad from: Neto, Raya, Setford; Calafiori, Gabriel, Heaven, Kiwior, Saliba, Tierney, Timber, Zinchenko; Havertz, Jorginho, Lewis-Skelly, Merino, Nwaneri, Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Jesus, Martinelli and Trossard.