Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has given a worrying update on Ethan Nwaneri after the 17-year-old was withdrawn at half-time against Brighton & Hove Albion at the weekend.
Nwaneri had stepped into the void left by Bukayo Saka’s absence while he is recovering from successful hamstring surgery. The youngster made his first Premier League start against Brentford on New Year’s Day before keeping that place for the trip to the south coast.
But Nwaneri was a concern was substituted at half-time by Gabriel Martinelli, with Arteta now confirming Arsenal fans’ worst fears about his situation.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Newcastle, Arteta said: “Unfortunately, he’s injured and he’s going to be out for a couple of weeks.
Pressed on the nature of the problem, the Spaniard replied simply: “Muscular.”
No further details were given on the exact return date, but with Saka already expected until March, he is giving the Gunners a real headache on the right-hand side. Leandro Trossard can play there but is more suited on the left, while Gabriel Jesus has been in top form as a ‘number nine’.
Raheem Sterling now looks more likely to stay due to a lack of cover after barely featuring during the first half of his loan spell at Chelsea and missed the last four games with a knee injury. However, the ex-England winger is expected to return much sooner than either Xhaka or Nwaneri.
Nwaneri had appeared ready for a big role in January alone, with Arsenal in action a further seven times in four different competitions before the end of the month. It is a series of games that involve clashes with Manchester UnitedTottenham, Aston Villa, Girona and Dinamo Zagreb.
The Gunners are also set to face Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in the first leg of February, although Arteta’s focus has been firmly on the challenge Newcastle will bring to north London.
“I’m really excited to play the game. Home crowd, semi-final, the chance to earn the right to be in a final,” he remarked. “It starts tomorrow, two games and obviously it’s going to be two big games against a very competitive team. We know that but we’re very excited and we need a big, big atmosphere in our stadium.
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2025-01-06 18:00:00
