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By ISAAN KHAN and JAMES COHEN Published: 07: 33 AEDT, 22 December 2024 | Updated: 11: 54 AEDT, 22 December 2024 17 View comments Mikel Arteta admitted he is ‘pretty worried’ about Bukayo Saka’s hamstring injury which saw the winger leave Selhurst Park on crutches on Saturday night. The major blow for Arsenal comes amid a packed schedule ahead — and, worryingly for the Gunners, is the third hamstring injury of the season sustained by the winger. The 23-year-old damaged his right hamstring on international duty for England against Greece on October 10, which saw him miss Arsenal’s Premier League match against Bournemouth nine days later. He then sustained the same injury again — it’s unclear to which leg — against Chelsea on November 10. Saka missed two UEFA Nations League games for England, before returning against Nottingham Forest on November 23. And now, Saka left the pitch against Crystal Palace after 24 minutes clutching his right hamstring in apparent pain. Arteta said: ‘He (Saka) felt something in his hamstring. He couldn’t continue. He will have to be assessed. Pretty worried about that one. Saka leaving Palace on crutches, not looking great #arsenal pic. twitter. com/N3Jnd7b S8x Arsenal star Bukayo Saka was forced off with an injury during his side's trip to Selhurst Park Saka lasted just 25 minutes of the clash against Crystal Palace before being withdrawn ‘It’s difficult to do that (assessment) now. They have tested him inside but very difficult to say how bad it is. ' The England international - who has provided five goals and 10 assists in the league - was replaced by Belgian team-mate Leandro Trossard at Selhurst Park. Arsenal were able to win despite Saka's injury, with Arteta's side earning a 5-1 victory to move three points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool. Arsenal fans will be hoping it's not a recurrence of the hamstring injury back in October.   During the international break that month, the winger was forced to withdraw from the England squad after sustaining the injury in their clash against Greece.   That hamstring issue kept the 23-year-old sidelined for 39 days - a period which included their disappointing 2-0 defeat by Bournemouth.   With clashes against Man United and rivals Tottenham in the new year, Mikel Arteta will be hopeful that it's not the same issue for the Arsenal wide-man. Prior to the injury to Saka, the Gunners made a bright start to the trip to Selhurst Park - with Gabriel Jesus scoring after just six minutes on the night.   The Brazilian arrived at the back-post to poke home from close range after defender Gabriel Magalhaes got a small nick on the cross. Saka was swiftly replaced by Belgian teammate Leandro Trossard after just 25 minutes In October, Saka was sidelined for just over a month with a hamstring injury on England duty Palace, however, hit back shortly after through winger Ismaila Sarr, who drove forward and curled a scintillating effort past David Raya.   But Arsenal fired back swiftly and were ahead once again in the 14th minute as Jesus was once again on hand to provide a neat finish from a corner.   Arteta's side then gave themselves some breathing room in the match as Kai Havertz reacted quickest to a Jesus header and poked home from inside the six-yard box. Second half goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Declan Rice sealed a 5-1 victory.   Saka's potential injury comes at a time when Arteta was slowly getting the core of his Arsenal side back to availability.   In a major boost for the Gunners, Rice and Riccardo Calafiori both came on in the second half after spells of injury. Rice missed the Gunners' 3-2 Carabao Cup victory over Palace on Wednesday due to a minor injury. Arteta admitted to being 'pretty worried' as he confirmed Saka suffered a hamstring problem While Calafiori has been sidelined since the start of December.   The Italian's absence has seen 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly start in the left-back slot for Arsenal's previous league match — a 0-0 draw against Everton. Full-back Oleksandr Zinchenko was also in contention to play in the match however was left out of the squad. Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group