Arsenal have been hit harder than most when it comes to injuries and that misfortune has, to this point, hindered their latest Premier League title charge.

Having pushed Manchester City all the way in each of the last two seasons, this was the term where the Gunners were widely tipped to go one better. Of course, they still might, but Mikel Arteta and his team have some work to do if they are to claw back pace-setters Liverpool.

Heading into Boxing Day and this campaign's festive fixtures, Arsenal are six points behind leaders Liverpool, who also have a game-in-hand at the summit after their Merseyside derby showdown vs Everton was postponed this month. A tall order for the Gunners, then, and especially so considering they will be without star man Bukayo Saka for the next few weeks.

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Saka, 23, has torn his right hamstring; the third time he's injured that part of his body this season. football.london understands that Saka will do well to make it back before late-January, as we take a closer look at the latest news and headlines doing the rounds on the England regular's fitness;

When will Bukayo Saka return?

As things stand, there is no concrete return date for the Arsenal forward. As above, football.london understands Saka will be "probably" be out until late-January - with the Gunners facing 10 matches in all competitions between now and January 29.

However, according to reports elsewhere, Arteta could be without his first-choice right winger until March. If that proves to be the case, it would mark a serious dent to Arsenal's chances of success and silverware this season with the club still fighting on all four fronts.

What has Mikel Arteta said?

"It's not looking good, he's [Saka] going to be out for many weeks," said Arteta during his recent press conference when confirming the unwanted news to Arsenal supporters. The manager, though, did try to put a positive spin on the situation as he looks to conjure up a contingency plan.

"I'm putting some ideas together. I haven't got there yet, but I have a few," the Spaniard went on. "I want to speak with them [the players] as well and take it in a positive way. It means we're going to be different.

"We went through a period with Martin [Odegaard] [injured] and the period with five, six defenders missing. We're looking at it with positive energy."

Who will replace him for Arsenal?

Raheem Sterling was signed on loan from Chelsea this summer to help in situations just like this. However, he too will be missing for a little while due to a knee injury.

In their respective absences, Arsenal have four possible options to play on the right flank - though one or two will need some tweaking elsewhere in their line-up. Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz could switch up from their usual berths on the left-hand side and up top, while a change in formation is not beyond the question.

At least as far as supporters are concerned, though, by far and away the most exciting choice would be to unleash prized youngster Ethan Nwaneri. The teenager has already underlined his talent on more than one occasion - but is the time right to give him added exposure and let the fleet-footed starlet loose?