Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal will need time to adapt without Bukayo Saka after their win over Ipswich – as the Gunners boss reveals the forward could be out for ‘more than two months’

Arsenal‘s hard-fought victory over Ipswich was marred by manager Mikel Arteta confirming that Bukayo Saka has undergone a ‘procedure’ on his injured hamstring and is expected to miss more than two months of action.

Saka suffered the blow during last weekend’s 5-1 win at Crystal Palace, with Mail Sport reporting earlier this week that the attacker could be ruled out until March.

Asked for the latest on Saka’s fitness, Arteta said: ‘I would prefer to leave that with the doctor but I can confirm he (Saka) had a procedure and he will be out for many, many weeks.

‘I think it will be more than two months, I don’t know exactly how much.’

Pressed on a timescale for Saka’s recovery, the Spaniard said: ‘I think it will be more than two months. I don’t know exactly how much.’

Arsenal weren’t at their fluid best at the Emirates on Friday with Kai Havertz’s first-half goal all the hosts had to show for their dominance. Arteta admitted he was frustrated by his side’s failure to put the game to bed.

Mikel Arteta revealed post-match that Bukayo Saka has undergone a ‘procedure’ following his recent injury

Saka suffered a hamstring injury against Crystal Palace last week and will be out for ‘more than two months’ according to Arteta

‘Very happy with the victory, the clean sheet and big parts of the game,’ said Arteta. ‘It was a really difficult opposition.

‘We had some big openings in the second half when we were being more aggressive. We should have scored more.’

Matchwinner Havertz, meanwhile, said that the responsibility will be on him and his team-mates to step up to the plate and fill the void left by Saka.

He told Amazon Prime: ‘Everyone has to step up because we know Bukayo Saka is a very important player for us. But we have to adapt. I try to help the team, it was a different role for me today.’

Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna was left disappointed that his side were unable to make one of their few second-half opportunities count.

He said: ‘We grew into the game well and turned a bit of momentum at the end of the first half and got into some good positions in the second half.

‘There were a few situations late in the game where we could have shown more belief but we were too hesitant.’