Saka faces "more than two months" out after hamstring surgery, says Arteta

Mikel Arteta has confirmed Arsenal's Bukayo Saka is likely to miss "more than two months" of action after undergoing surgery on his injured hamstring.

Saka withdrew from the Gunners' Premier League victory over Crystal Palace last weekend, leaving Selhurst Park on crutches.

It hands Arteta a huge injury blow in Arsenal's quest for the Premier League title this season, with Saka being one of his side's star attackers up until this point.

Across all competitions, the England international has nine goals and 13 assists in 24 appearances for Arsenal this term.

Only Chelsea's Cole Palmer (48) has created more chances in the Premier League this season than Saka (42), while his 15 goal involvements are only bettered by Palmer (18) and Liverpool's Mohamed Salah (27).

Arsenal did, however, manage to climb up to second place in the standings following their 1-0 win over Ipswich Town on Friday in his absence, but that victory was overshadowed by Arteta's update on Saka after the full-time whistle.

"He had a procedure," Arteta said. "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.

"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."

Arteta was able to provide some positive news on Chelsea loanee Raheem Sterling, who has missed the last two games with a knee injury.

The Arsenal boss expected the 30-year-old to be out for "weeks" because of his issue, but the problem is not as bad as first feared, and he could be available for selection soon.

"Yes, we have to see this week how he evolves," added Arteta. "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."

Arsenal's next game in the Premier League is against Brentford on New Year's Day, with the Gunners hopeful of continuing their fine record at the Gtech Community Stadium.

They have won their last three away games against Brentford in all competitions without conceding a single goal.

The Gunners last won four consecutive away games against an opponent while keeping a clean sheet each time against Sunderland between 2003 and 2008.