For Mikel Arteta, this latest burst of injuries couldn't have come at a worse time. Just when it looked like things were coming together as players returned in defiant style for the 5-1 win over Crystal Palace, more have dropped out.

None more significant than Bukayo Saka, who hobbled off with a hamstring issue. Fortunately for Arsenal, the attack at Selhurst Park, boosted by Gabriel Jesus' fine Palace-battering week continuing, it didn't impact the performance or result in south London.

However, bigger tests lie on the horizon. A visit of lowly Ipswich Town is not quite the daunting prospect it could have been if Kieran McKenna's side had managed to make more of their competitive spirit so far this season, but the matches beyond that are a step up.

READ MORE: Arsenal loan situation explained as Randal Kolo Muani transfer gets green light amid Saka blow

READ MORE: Arsenal transfer gamble finally pays off as brutal Mikel Arteta decision delivers title boost

Arsenal face the home kings Brentford before a trip to Brighton, Carabao Cup semi-final first leg commitments against Newcastle, FA Cup action with Manchester United, and then Tottenham and Aston Villa to visit as well. Saka, it seems, is going to be out for all of this.

"It's not looking good," Arteta said when asked about Saka earlier this week. "He's going to be out for many weeks." That leaves plenty to be picked up by the remaining forwards.

When it comes to Premier League output, though, only Kai Havertz is even close to Saka so far. He has six goals and two assists so far - compared to the team-leading numbers for Saka or five goals but 10 assists - with Gabriel Martinelli's six combined the next best. After him it's the set-piece threat of Gabriel Magalhaes.

Raheem Sterling is unavailable here as well due to a knee injury. "He was gutted," Arteta said last week. "You could tell that he hasn’t been injured because he was really emotional and really down. He will be fine but I think he’s going to need a few days." Sterling hasn't scored yet whilst Leandro Trossard only has three, which adds pressure to those further back to provide.

The return of Declan Rice, Mikel Merino, and Thomas Partey will strengthen the midfield for Arsenal but the backline has been looking increasingly threadbare with a big drop off to the rotation contingent. Oleksandr Zinchenko, Ben White, and Takehiro Tomiyasu are all expected to be out.

It leaves Arteta with one spot to fill from the squad which travelled to Palace. That is likely to be taken by an academy player due to a lack of available options elsewhere.

Here, football.london predicts what the 20-man matchday group will be against Ipswich.

Goalkeepers: David Raya, Neto.

Defenders: Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Myles Lewis-Skelley, Ricardo Calafiori, Kieran Tierney, Jakub Kiwior.

Midfielders: Declan Rice, Thomas Partey, Martin Odegaard, Mikel Merino, Ethan Nwaneri, Jorginho.

Attackers: Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, Nathan Butler-Oyedeji.