Mikel Arteta sent clear message from Premier League rival over replacing Bukayo Saka

Mikel Arteta is going to have to replace the best player in the Premier League during Bukayo Saka's injury absence - according to a current star who has come up against the Englishman.

Saka faces a spell on the sidelines with the hamstring injury he picked up in Arsenal's 5-1 win at Crystal Palace before Christmas, with some reports suggesting the wide man could be out until March.

Arteta confirmed the absence at his press conference prior to Friday's clash with Ipswich at the Emirates, saying: "It's not looking good. He's going to be out for many weeks. It is what it is. He's injured, we cannot change it. We're going to use this time now to help him."

Arteta added that he was "putting some ideas together" over how to best cope with Saka's absence, although one of those options, the on loan winger Raheem Sterling, is also sidelined with a knee injury.

The Basque boss could choose from the likes of Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz in the attacking positions for the visit from Kieran McKenna's side, with the Gunners going into the game six points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, a gap which would grow to nine should the Reds beat Leicester on Boxing Day.

Image: Getty Images) Getty Images)

The act of replacing Saka will be tough for Arteta, and one man who is likely to sympathise is the Nottingham Forest full-back Ola Aina, who considers Saka to be the best player in the Premier League currently.

Full-back Aina, who has impressed this season as his side side sit fourth in the table, just two points behind Arsenal, appeared on the Filthy Fellas podcast and was asked who he considered the best player in the league to be.

After replying Saka, he added: “Every game… he just does it. Let’s be honest here, bro, Saka is scoring, he’s doing a mad ting.”

Image: PA) PA)

Adding why he felt Saka comes out at No.1 ahead of some big names, he said: “Rodri is sick, he makes City tick… but Saka just does it every game. That’s one player when I came off the pitch at the Emirates… I had to respect it."

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