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

Gunners will be forced into reshuffle in attack after injury blow

Arsenal will have to find a way to cope without Bukayo Saka when they play Ipswich at Emirates Stadium.

Saka could be out until March after tearing his hamstring in last weekend’s 5-1 win against Crystal Palace.

It remains to be seen how Mikel Arteta plans to replace Saka, who has scored nine goals and provided 13 assists in all competitions this season, but the Gunners will need to get creative because Raheem Sterling is also out with a knee injury.

Gabriel Martinelli is an option to play on the right, where he played when Saka went off at Palace.

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

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Ethan Nwaneri, 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 will surely keep his place at the head of the Arsenal attack, which means Arteta faces a dilemma over what to do with Havertz.

Havertz played in midfield against Palace but Arsenal lacked control in midfield and Declan Rice may come back into the team.

In defence, the fit-again Riccardo Calafiori could replace Myles Lewis-Skelly at left-back.

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.