Saka shares post-surgery hospital snap as star makes promise to Arsenal fans

Saka, 23, is set for a spell on the sidelines and boss Mikel Arteta anticipates it could be as long as two months.

Sharing a post on Instagram, Saka wrote: "The majority see obstacles, but few see the opportunities.

"Recovery has begun and I'm coming back stronger! Thank you all for your messages."

The England winger went down in the first half of the Premier League match against Crystal Palace clutching his hamstring and the injury was later confirmed.

After leaving Selhurst Park on crutches, fans were concerned about their star man, who has scored nine times and assisted 13 in 24 games across all competitions this season.

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Arsenal went onto beat Crystal Palace 5-1 through goals from Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Declan Rice.

The north London side also secured a 1-0 victory over Ipswich Town at home in their first game without Saka in the squad.

Providing an update on Saka, Arteta said he had 'a procedure', adding that "everything went well, but unfortunately he will be out for many, many weeks.

"I said many weeks, so I think it will be more than two months. I don't know exactly how much longer.

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"It will depend on how the scar tissue starts to heal, the first week or so, the mobility of that. Let's see, it's very difficult to say."

The obvious replacement for Saka would be Chelsea loanee Raheem Sterling - who is also recovering from a knee injury himself.

Luckily for Arsenal, the side expect Sterling to be available again soon, with a welcome fitness boost for the 30-year-old.

Arteta insisted that they will 'have to see this week how he evolves' with regards to Sterling's progress.

"We probably expected the knee injury to take longer than it has evolved in the last few days. Hopefully that's good news because we need him."

The Gunners are next in action when they play London rivals Brentford away on New Year's Day.

Arsenal are second in the table, currently six points behind Liverpool, who have a game in hand.