Now, Saka himself has taken to Instagram to share an update following his surgery, captioning a photograph from a hospital bed with the fighting words: "The majority see obstacles, but few see the opportunities. Recovery has begun and I'm coming back stronger! Thank you all for your messages #GodsPlan".

Here was something Arsenal sorely needed at the start of the all too lengthy absence of Bukayo Saka, something managers crave most of all at this stage of the season: an extended workout, a prolonged session of at least 45 minutes to start smoothing out the issues that cannot run for over two months.

Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka is set to be sidelined for more than two months after an operation on a hamstring injury, manager Mikel Arteta said on Friday.

Title hopefuls Arsenal rode a Kai Havertz goal to a 1-0 win over Ipswich Town at the Emirates Stadium in a dominant but finish-challenged affair.

Richard: Arsenal must score more goals with the possession they have. It's not an easy watch with the score at 1-0. Surely something must be done about the blatant man handling at set pieces especially when the referee is no more than 10 yards away.

Arsenal moved up to second in the Premier League and within six points of Liverpool after a largely trouble-free, if slightly pedestrian, 1-0 win at home to struggling Ipswich Town on a chilly night in North London on Friday.