Arsenal handed brutal blow as Bukayo Saka injured vs Crystal Palace

Bukayo Saka has been forced off with injury during Arsenal's Premier League visit to Crystal Palace.

The winger immediately flagged to the bench after delivering a cross, clutching his leg with a little over 20 minutes gone and the Gunners 2-1 ahead at the time. Saka received treatment on the pitch before hobbling off with what appears to be a hamstring injury.

Leandro Trossard came on to replace the attacker, who was flanked by medics on his way off the field. Saka missed two Arsenal matches - and England's internationals - in October due to injury. He was missing from action for just over two weeks on that occasion.

In the next fortnight, Arsenal face Ipswich Town on Friday, December 27 before travelling to Brentford on New Year's Day and visiting Brighton & Hove Albion on January 4. The severity of Saka's latest setback is unknown.

Saka has an envious injury record, having missed just four Premier League matches since the start of the 2021/22 campaign.

The 23-year-old has provided the most goal contributions for Arsenal this campaign, with nine goals and 13 assists. Only Kai Havertz has scored more and with Saka currently top assist-provider.

Gabriel Jesus - who scored a hat-trick against Palace in the League Cup quarter-final tie in midweek - had given the Gunners the lead on six minutes before Ismaila Sarr fired in an equaliser five minutes later. Jesus then put the visitors ahead again on 14 minutes following a corner.

Jesus went on to hit the post on 38 minutes, with the ball falling to Havertz to net his 11th goal of the season from close range and put the away team 3-1 up at half-time.