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By SAMI MOKBEL Published: 04: 42 AEDT, 24 December 2024 | Updated: 11: 41 AEDT, 24 December 2024 109 View comments Arsenal fear Bukayo Saka will be out until March with the hamstring injury he suffered against Crystal Palace on Saturday. Manager Mikel Arteta confirmed yesterday that the forward would be absent for ‘many weeks’ following the muscle issue he suffered in the first half of Arsenal’s 5-1 win. Saka, who left Selhurst Park on crutches, will see a specialist following more scans, after which the length of his recovery period will be clearer. The 23-year-old has suffered three hamstring injuries already this season, though this — believed to be a tear — is the most serious. With that in mind, the club are keen to investigate further. However, Mail Sport understands there are concerns that Saka’s lay-off will stretch into late February or even early March — news that comes as a major blow to Arsenal as they try to reduce Liverpool’s six-point lead over them at the top of the table. Arsenal doctors are reluctant to put a timescale on Saka’s return given his track record of recovering swiftly from injuries. 'It’s not looking good, ’ Arteta said. ‘He’ll be out for many weeks. I can’t be too specific because I don’t know, but it will be many weeks.   Bukayo Saka was forced off with a hamstring injury in the first half of Arsenal's 5-1 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday night Gunners boss Mikel Arteta  had confirmed that the winger faces 'many weeks' on the sidelines ‘It’s a huge (blow). He’s obviously a big player for us. ‘He was gutted. You can tell that he has not been injured much because he was really, really emotional and really down. ‘We need to lift him up. It is a big part of his job. He will be fine but he is going to need a few days. He will immediately realise that he is so important in that dressing room. ‘His energy level, his body language, and how he communicates with the rest of the team have to be really good because it is the only way at the moment he can help. ’ Raheem Sterling, who would have been in contention to deputise for Saka, requires further tests on a knee injury that saw him withdraw from training last Friday. The Chelsea loanee complained of a niggle and was immediately pulled out of the session as a precaution. Sterling has made only six appearances in the league for the Gunners and his one goal came in the 5-1 Carabao Cup win over Bolton in September. Arteta said Sterling would also spend ‘weeks’ on the treatment table, though a full prognosis will not be given until later this week. On how his team navigate the problems created by Saka and Sterling’s absence, Arteta added: ‘It’s going to be a really good exercise for us to think of ways to overcome another challenge. We’ve had a lot over the season. I am putting some ideas together. ’ Arteta did not rule out looking for reinforcements in the January window. ‘If something unbelievable is available and if the club is willing, we’ll have to consider it, ’ he said. Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group