Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has revealed Bukayo Saka will be out for “many weeks” with a msucle injury, although he could not give a precise recovery timeline ahead of next month’s meeting with Manchester United.

The Gunners host United in the FA Cup Third Round on January 12, which is just under three weeks away. Saka pulled up feeling his right hamstring just a little over 20 minutes into his club’s 5-1 win at Crystal Palace on Saturday.

He immediately flagged to the bench after delivering a cross to signal his issue. The winger was flanked by two medics as he made his way off the field, looking in some discomfort.

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Arteta described the loss of Saka as a 'huge blow'. However, he did not outline how long he expects the England international to be unavailable for.

Speaking about the 23-year-old’s issue on Monday, Arteta explained: “It’s not looking good. He’s gonna be out for many weeks.

“How many weeks? Many. I cannot be too specific because I don’t know but it will be many weeks. It’s a huge [loss]. He’s obviously a big player for us, you just have to see the impact that he has on the team.

"It’s going to be a really good exercise for us to think of ways to overcome another challenge because we’ve had a lot over the season.”

Arteta commonly keeps his cards close to his chest when it comes to injury updates. Neither Saka or Jurrien Timber were seen in open training ahead of October’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool, after the boss gave vague updates on the pair. Both started the match.