'I think': Les Ferdinand explains why it is actually the 'perfect time to get injured' for Bukayo Saka now

Bukayo Saka’s hamstring injury somewhat marred Arsenal’s emphatic 5-1 victory against Crystal Palace.

Saka is arguably not just the Gunners’ best player but perhaps their most important as well.

The Englishman has contributed to 44% of Arsenal’s goals in the Premier League this season, having scored five and assisted 10 out of their 34 in total so far. Alan Shearer raved about Saka for having a top-class campaign once again.

While Jamie Carragher’s view on Saka’s injury was that Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli’s encouraging performances against Crystal Palace could be signs that they could help replace his influence fairly well.

However, that will be easier said than done for any Arsenal player as the 23-year-old is one of the best forwards in Europe.

But Les Ferdinand feels the in-form winger’s injury has come at the right time.

• READ MORE: Arsenal fans say they already have Bukayo Saka’s replacement at N5 after injury at Crystal Palace

The positive from Bukayo Saka’s injury against Crystal Palace

The former Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur striker feels that looking at Arsenal’s next run of games, they could do without Saka’s presence, who will finally be given a much-deserved rest.

Ferdinand told Sky Sports: “If there was a perfect time to get injured, it would be now. If he was going to be out for any spell, it would be over this Christmas period.”

“You look at the games that they’ve got coming up, no Champions League, gives him a bit of time to rest, we talk about players playing loads of games, I think he hasn’t had a period where he’s been out for any length of time.”

“I think if he’s out for a bit of time now, it’ll put them in good stead when it kicks in around January, February time.”

Mikel Arteta will likely disagree with Les Ferdinand’s assessment as Saka is his key man and he would wish for him to be fit and firing at all times.

Thierry Henry named Saka as his “favourite player”, which goes to show the status he has accrued over the years.

Which Premier League games could Bukayo Saka miss for Arsenal?

So far, the extent of the revered wideman’s injury is yet to be confirmed.

But it does not seem like Saka will be available for a few games at the very least.

If the England international is unfit to play in Arsenal’s next five games, he could miss difficult games against Brentford, Brighton & Hove Albion, Tottenham and Aston Villa.

Mikel Arteta will be hoping that Saka’s injury is not serious to the point where he misses so many matches.

But if that does end up being the case, the likes of Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Jesus and Martinelli will have to ensure his absence is not felt by Arsenal as they cannot afford to drop more points in the title race.