Bukayo Saka injury update as Arsenal suffer crisis in attack

Arsenal will not rush Bukayo Saka's return to action despite the club's injury crisis up front, talkSPORT understands.

With star player Saka being joined in the treatment room by Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and most recently Kai Havertz, the temptation would be to up the ante on Saka's rehab.

Things were looking up for the north London side after photos emerged of the winger in rehab drills in the club's Dubai training camp.

But that's not a sign to suggest he'll be back before March, as originally claimed as it's understood there is a reluctance to risk the 23-year-old, whose injured right leg is the key in his armoury.

Saka first sustained the injury in Arsenal's 5-1 win at Crystal Palace in December.

The Gunners' injury woes have now intensified, with only three fit attacking options remaining.

Leandro Trossard, Raheem Sterling and teenager Ethan Nwaneri are the only trio available.

It comes after it was announced that Havertz has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a hamstring injury.

The German forward suffered the injury during their warm weather training camp in Dubai.

A club statement confirmed the injury, adding that: "Subsequent assessments and specialist reviews have confirmed that the injury will require surgery, which will take place in the coming days.

"Soon after surgery, Kai will begin his recovery and rehabilitation programme, which is expected to extend into pre-season preparations for next season."

With Jesus already ruled out with an ACL injury, it leaves Arsenal without a fit recognised striker as they try and compete for the Premier League and Champions League.

Despite criticism from fans over his finishing, Havertz is the Gunners' top scorer this season, netting 15 times in all competitions - nine in the top-flight.

It is an important few months for the Gunners too as they continue to push for the Premier League title, despite being seven points behind leaders Liverpool.

They have been knocked out of the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, but remain fighting in the Champions League.

Havertz joins Saka in an already heavily populated treatment room that includes Martinelli, who sustained a hamstring injury during the second leg of Arsenal's Carabao Cup semi final against Newcastle last week.

Martinelli is not expected to return until March at the earliest, along with Jesus, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu who all remain on the sidelines.

Arsenal are next in action on Saturday lunchtime, where they face relegation-threatened Leicester at the King Power Stadium, live on talkSPORT.