Saka had been Arsenal’s star performer this season with nine goals and 13 assists prior to the hamstring injury he sustained in last month’s win against Crystal Palace.

The 23-year-old England international has been ruled out until at least March following surgery on the muscle tear.

Mikel Arteta hinted that injuries to his Arsenal squad are close to ending their Premier League challenge following a crushing 2-2 draw against Aston Villa at the Emirates.

Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz fired the home side into a 2-0 lead but Villa fought back through goals from Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins in eight second-half minutes to deal a potentially devastating blow to Arsenal’s title tilt.

Arsenal have been rocked by injuries to a host of players this season, with Bukayo Saka out until at least March following hamstring surgery, while Gabriel Jesus is sidelined for the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Arsenal’s Premier League title bid was dealt a hammer blow after they surrendered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Aston Villa at the Emirates.

Gabriel Martinelli fired Arsenal ahead in the first half before Kai Havertzdoubled the home side’s advantage 10 minutes after the interval.

But Villa responded just four minutes later through Youri Tielemans, with Ollie Watkins grabbing an equaliser for the visitors.

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery told Sky Sports that he felt his side "competed well” today.

“To get something here is very difficult. To compete like we did is the only way. They were controling and pushing more [earlier on]. We had to defend strongly.

"The second half we reacted well. The mentality we showed is the mentality we want. We needed the goalkeeper, the defenders. We were always trying some transitions. Fantastic job. Now we are in good balance. We are fighting with really strong teams. How we started the second part of the season has been good.

"[We thought] scoring one goal could open the match for us and it did."

On being set to bring off Ollie Watkins before the goal: "Yes I wanted a change with a fresh player like Duran but after his goal I tried to take my time."

On being booked: "I don't know. I kicked the ball. I only kicked the ball in the direction of the players. I didn't deserve a yellow card."

In his own post-match interview, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says he is proud with how his side played.

“The way we played and competed, for the third time in six days and after playing 120-minutes, to deliver that dominance and performance, it was outstanding.

"We deserve much more, that is clear. But the way we defended for the second goal cannot be part of our game if we want to constantly win games.

"Overall, they were exceptional.

"There were players who were absolutely dead. They perform like this, wow. They just go about it and try to be the best version.

"Villa are a top side and we did a lot of good things."

Ollie Watkins has scored six Premier League goals against Arsenal, with four of those coming at the Emirates Stadium. Since joining Aston Villa ahead of the 2020-21 season, no visiting player has scored more away goals against the Gunners than Watkins.

Villa striker Ollie Watkins says that he’d be “disappointed” if that handball decision was given against him.

He goes on to add: "We got the goal and got a lot of momentum from that. They were quite open and there were chances to be had.

"We knew they went man for man. There were a few times where I could of done better, I was one on one with Gabriel a few times. They are always a little bit open.

“"When I got my goal, I felt like we had enough time to push on and get a goal.

"It was about being brave and making more passes. Once we got it down and made a few passes, that's when you can catch them."

“We had a bad run before and everyone said it was a dodgy decision. You can see how close the league is, Bournemouth went to Newcastle and won 4-1.

"Personally, this is the best I've felt. Coming back from the Euros and having no pre-season takes its toll.

"Feeling good and want to get to 20 goals. I'm on penalties now so that's the target and breaking Gabby's [Agbonlahor] record."

Speaking to Sky Sports, Gabriel Martinelli said that “it's a disappointing day” for the Gunners.

“We wanted to win the game, but we have to keep going.

"We trust in ourselves, and we have to keep going and improving - it is a long journey to go. We have to focus on ourselves.

"That's football, that's the Premier League, the most difficult league in the world.

"We have to see the game and see what we have done wrong and improve for the next games.

"We know our qualities and we know the potential we have and we trust in ourselves."