Arsenal fear Bukayo Saka could be out until MARCH with a torn hamstring – as the Gunners are dealt a major blow to their Premier League title hopes

Arsenal fear Bukayo Saka will miss around two months with the hamstring injury he suffered against Crystal Palace.

Gunners head coach Mikel Arteta confirmed on Monday that his forward will miss ‘many weeks’ with the injury suffered in the first half of his side’s 5-1 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday, an injury that saw Saka leave Selhurst Park on crutches.

Saka is set to see a hamstring specialist following initial scans after which the picture of his recovery will become clearer.

The 23-year-old has suffered three hamstring complaints already this season, though the current injury – believed to be tear – is the most serious.

With that in mind the club are keen to investigate the issue further externally.

However, Mail Sport understands the initial concerns are that Saka’s lay-off may stretch into late February, even early March – news that arrives as a major blow to Arsenal as they try to reduce Liverpool’s six point lead at the top of the table.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta  had confirmed that the winger faces ‘many weeks’ on the sidelines

Arsenal medics are currently reluctant to put a definitive recovery timescale on Saka’s return and much will depend on how quickly he heals.

But the fact this is his third hamstring injury of the season will see Arsenal approach Saka’s recovery with caution.

Meanwhile, Raheem Sterling – who would have been in contention to replace Saka – requires further tests on a knee injury that saw him withdraw from Friday’s training session ahead of the win over Palace.

The former Manchester City star, on loan from Chelsea, complained of a niggle and was immediately pulled out of the session as a precaution.

Arteta says Sterling will also spend ‘weeks’ on the sidelines, though the full diagnosis will not be known until later this week.