Mikel Arteta is “very fearful” about Bukayo Saka after the England winger was compelled off within the twenty fourth minute of Arsenal’s 5-1 thrashing of Crystal Palace.

Saka was filmed leaving Selhurst Park on crutches, souring what had been a complete second win over the Eagles in 4 days after Gabriel Jesus’ hat-trick secured Arsenal passage to the Carabao Cup semi-finals on Wednesday evening.

Jesus scored twice this time, both facet of Ismaila Sarr’s strike in an thrilling first quarter-hour, with Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and the returning Declan Rice additionally discovering the web because the Gunners moved inside three factors of Premier League leaders Liverpool.

However the focus after the match was on Saka.

“He felt one thing in his hamstring,” Arteta mentioned. “He couldn’t proceed. He should be assessed, so I’m fairly fearful about that one.

“It’s very tough to (give a prognosis) now. They’ve examined him inside but it surely’s very tough to say how unhealthy it’s.

“We misplaced Raheem (Sterling) yesterday, we don’t know for the way lengthy as properly, so to lose two gamers in 24 hours will not be good.

“Sadly with the quantity of video games that we’re enjoying, each three days with this schedule, it doesn’t shock me, however the crew will react to that.”

Jesus, who was within the beginning line-up, has now scored seven occasions this yr, with 5 coming within the final 72 hours towards Palace.

“That’s the great thing about soccer,” mentioned Arteta.  “Issues change. I feel he scored the identical quantity in 45 appearances and now in two days, three days nearly.

“He scored 5 targets and he may have scored a hat-trick as we speak once more. Nice credit score to him, as a result of he’s put a lot work into it, a lot perception into what he does, and he was affected person, and he bought rewarded.”

Liverpool have two video games in hand over Arteta’s facet, the primary towards Tottenham on Sunday, whereas second-placed Chelsea have one level extra and have performed one fixture fewer than the Gunners.

Requested what the distinction was between Saturday’s journey to south London and final week’s goalless draw with Everton, Arteta replied: “That we had been scientific as we speak. I feel in lots of issues we had been higher the opposite day however that is soccer.

“We had been so scientific as we speak, we had been so good at scoring in numerous phases like we wish to do and we didn’t concede extra realistically as a result of David (Raya) had two nice saves as properly and we now have to be trustworthy about that.”

Palace equalled Arsenal’s six photographs on track, whereas the Gunners – with 15 – had only one extra shot total than the hosts, who had been lacking the injured Eberechi Eze.

Palace boss Oliver Glasner mentioned: “I feel all people who watched the sport, particularly within the first 60 minutes, (would say) it wasn’t a recreation that you need to lose 5-1.

“Many components of soccer we did rather well as we speak, however one essential half we did very unhealthy, let’s say it like this, defending within the field.

“With their effectivity and the way ruthless they had been as we speak, they scored from each scenario and that’s how we will clarify this disappointing end result.

“Now we have to do higher (in defending). While you play a prime crew like Arsenal, they are saying simply ‘thanks’ and that is what they did as we speak.

“That is what prime groups are doing. You give them a crumb, they take the entire cake.”