Mikel Arteta has confirmed Arsenal midfielder Ethan Nwaneri will be sidelined for a few weeks with a muscular injury.
Nwaneri opened the scoring in Saturday’s 1-1 draw away at Brighton as he made a second successive Premier League start, but was substituted at half-time after suffering the injury.
The 17-year-old’s absence leaves Arsenal short on the right wing, where they are already missing Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling.
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A fantastic finish from 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri opens the scoring to put Arsenal one-up at Brighton.
Speaking at his news conference ahead of Tuesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg tie against Newcastle, live on Sky Sports, Arteta said: “Unfortunately he has picked up an injury and he is going to be out for a couple of weeks.
“It’s muscular injury.”
Arsenal have also been without Kai Havertz for their last two league fixtures due to the German forward struggling with illness.
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Arteta was more upbeat, however, when asked if he could welcome Havertz back to the fold for the visit of Newcastle on Tuesday night.
“I hope so,” Arteta said.
“But I don’t want to say yes because the last time I said I thought he was going to be fit then he wasn’t fit.”
‘Arsenal in a position to act in January’
Sky Sports News reporter Dharmesh Sheth on what Arsenal may do in January:
“It looks set to be a reactive transfer window for Arsenal.
“Bukayo Saka is among those injured, and Arsenal have to weigh up whether to go into the market for a forward.
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Talking on the Gary Neville podcast, Nev reacts to Arsenal’s draw against Brighton and contemplates the Gunners’ title chances against Liverpool.
“Thankfully, Saka is on course to be back well before the end of the season, which will be a factor in Arsenal’s thinking.
“However, if an opportunity was to arise for either a long-term target or a short-term loan, Arsenal are in a position to act.
“Players like Alexander Isak are admired but there has been no approach to Newcastle United and they will not sell in this window.”
