Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that after tearing his hamstring during the Gunners' win at Crystal Palace over the weekend.

Saka limped off midway through the first half at Selhurst Park and Arteta confirmed the extent of the injury during a press conference on Monday: “It’s not looking good. He’s going to be out for many weeks. It’s a huge blow but it’s going to be a big exercise for us to overcome another challenge.”

Saka was replaced by Leandro Trossard in the match, which Arsenal won 5-1 courtesy of a brace from Gabriel Jesus plus goals from Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Declan Rice.

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Arteta was asked whether he feared that the problem might rule Saka out for the remainder of the season, but said: "No. I'm very optimistic he'll be back before the end of the season."

"It could have been much worse," he added. "It could have been something else that can take you out for a year. It's how you react to that, how you overcome that situation and it's a great learning process for him as well. It is what it is. He's injured, we cannot change it. We're going to use this time now to help him."

Confirmation of the extent of Saka's injury comes after Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate, who has been sidelined for several weeks with a knee injury, wished the England winger all the best with his recovery.

Konate was after a Liverpool supporter had sent a message to an Arsenal fan who had seemingly celebrated Konate's injury in November by saying: "karma is a b----". The French defender wrote: "We are not like them… we wish no harm."