As the clock ticked down on Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Ipswich Town, David Raya received a backpass just outside his penalty area, dribbled back into the box, hovered over the ball and gathered it up, using up precious seconds.

What the Spanish manager wouldn’t give for six months of his countryman’s two-footed talents right now, after losing Bukayo Saka for “many, many weeks” due to a hamstring injury. Saka has had surgery on the muscle he tore against Crystal Palace before Christmas and his manager expects him to be out for more than two months,

Mikel Arteta was handed a massive headache when Saka pulled up with an issue in a 3-2 win over Crystal Palace in the League Cup (December 18). He was forced off in the first half and left Selhurst Park on crutches, and fears grew that the English winger had suffered a serious injury.