Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka is set to be sidelined for several weeks after sustaining a knee injury during the team’s dominant 5-1 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday. Manager Mikel Arteta confirmed the severity of the injury during a press conference on Monday, ahead of their match against Ipswich Town, revealing that the issue is worse than initially anticipated.

A statement on the club's website described the situation as a significant challenge to Arsenal's title aspirations. Arteta expressed concern, saying, "It’s not looking good. He’s a big player for us, and his impact on the team is undeniable. This will be a real test for us to find ways to overcome another obstacle, as we’ve already faced many this season."

Saka, the Gunners’ influential number seven, was substituted in the 24th minute at Selhurst Park, making way for Leandro Trossard, who delivered an impressive performance. Despite Trossard's contributions, Saka's absence creates a considerable gap as Arsenal enters a challenging stretch of fixtures.

Adding to the injury woes, Raheem Sterling is also expected to be out for several weeks due to a knee problem. Arteta stated that further testing would be conducted to determine the extent of Sterling's injury, but early indications suggest a prolonged absence. "It’s his knee, and we’ll need another 24 hours to understand it fully, but unfortunately, he’ll be out for some time," Arteta explained.

With both key right-wingers unavailable, Arteta faces a tactical challenge but remains optimistic about the squad's versatility. He pointed to Gabriel Martinelli as a strong option, highlighting his recent goal and assist. Other potential replacements include Gabriel Jesus, Ethan Nwaneri, Leandro Trossard, and Kai Havertz, each capable of stepping into the role depending on the opposition and tactical setup.

Arteta acknowledged the need for adaptability, saying, "We’ll speak to the players, see how they feel, and decide the best approach to maintain balance and momentum in the team."

Victor Osimhen praised his Galatasaray teammates following their dominant 5-1 victory over Kayserispor on Sunday night. The striker netted twice to help Okan Buruk’s side strengthen their position at the top of the table.

Osimhen emphasized the importance of maintaining their unbeaten streak heading into the Christmas break. “I congratulate our team very much. It was one of the most important matches of the season, and it allowed us to widen the points gap,” he told the club’s official website.

“The opponent’s players up front were dangerous, which made the victory even more significant. I am happy to contribute with two goals. We are very happy with the victory before the break and want to continue this momentum.”

Osimhen has been in outstanding form this season, registering 12 goals and five assists for the Turkish Super Lig champions.

Manchester City defender Ruben Dias has been sidelined for up to four weeks with a muscular injury, adding to Pep Guardiola’s growing challenges as he looks to revive the club’s season.

The Portugal international had previously missed five games in November due to a calf problem but returned in December, featuring consistently until now. However, Dias will be unavailable for City’s clash with Aston Villa on Saturday, with further doubts surrounding the fitness of goalkeeper Ederson.

“Ruben is out for a long time, and Ederson, I don’t know if he will be ready tomorrow,” Guardiola revealed during a press conference on Friday. He added that Dias is expected to be sidelined for “three or four weeks.”

The injury occurred during City’s recent match against Manchester United. “After 75 minutes, Ruben felt something,” Guardiola explained. “He’s strong and wanted to stay on the pitch, but now he’s injured.”

City have been struggling with injuries and form, losing eight of their last 11 matches across all competitions. They currently sit fifth in the Premier League table.

While Nathan Ake remains out, there is some good news for City, as defenders Manuel Akanji and John Stones have returned to full training. “Manuel and John are back, which is good for us,” Guardiola said. “The more players we have available, the better. But I don’t know yet if they can start against Aston Villa. They’ve been out for a while, and yesterday was their first proper training session.”

City’s poor run is the worst in Guardiola’s illustrious managerial career, which has seen success at Barcelona and Bayern Munich. Despite the setbacks, Guardiola remains optimistic ahead of the match against seventh-placed Aston Villa, managed by Unai Emery.

“If you fall down six times, you have to stand up seven,” Guardiola stated. “There’s no alternative. I’m fine. When things go well, I feel better. When they don’t, we focus more on what needs to be done.

“We have to start again. We don’t know what will happen at Villa Park, but we’ll keep trying, and sooner or later, things will turn around.”

Mason Mount is set for another extended spell on the sidelines, adding to his challenging first season at Manchester United. The former Chelsea midfielder, who joined the club in July last year, has struggled with inconsistent form and recurring injuries since his arrival at Old Trafford.

The England international has made just 32 appearances for United, scoring only one goal and starting in nine Premier League matches. His latest setback came during the Manchester derby last week, where he was forced off early in United’s 2-1 victory.

Manager Ruben Amorim confirmed that the 25-year-old would be out for “several weeks” and expressed his frustration over the situation.

“I don’t know the exact date, but it’s going to be for a long time,” Amorim said. “It’s part of football, and we continue.”

Amorim added that he plans to support Mount during his recovery, focusing on helping him adapt to United’s style of play even while sidelined.

“What I can do is help Mase learn more about our game while he’s recovering,” Amorim explained. “We’ll use this time for him to reflect and prepare mentally. The tough part is not having enough time for proper team training when players are recovering because of our busy schedule.”

Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford will be available for Sunday’s home match against Bournemouth after missing the games against Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur. Amorim clarified that Rashford’s absence was not due to a disciplinary issue, despite the player recently hinting at seeking “a new challenge” in an interview about his future at United.

Despite United’s current position at 13th in the Premier League, Amorim remains optimistic about the team’s progress under his management since replacing Erik ten Hag last month.

“I think we are improving in the final third,” he said. “In some games, we were near the opponent’s box but lacked a real threat. Against Tottenham, you could see we’re creating more opportunities, shooting, and showing more physicality.

“Our pressing has improved, and the team’s understanding of the game is better. I can see us controlling matches more effectively.”

Amorim’s focus on building cohesion and improving performance will be critical as United navigate their challenging season with key players like Mount sidelined.