itstargetnews
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has given a relevant update on Ethan Nwaneri following the 17-year-old’s half-time withdrawal against Brighton & Hove Albion at the weekend.
Nwaneri stepped into the void left by Bukayo Saka’s absence 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 the newness was alarming Changed at half-time Via Gabriel Martinelli, Arteta has now confirmed Arsenal fans’ worst fears about his position.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Newcastle United, Arteta said: “Unfortunately, he’s injured and he’s going to be out for a few weeks.
Pressed on the nature of the problem, the Spaniard simply replied: “Muscular”.
No further details were given on an exact return date, but with Saka already expected to be out until March, it presents the Gunners with a real headache at right-back. Leandro Trossard can play there but is better suited on the left, while Gabriel Jesus is in top form as a ‘number nine’.
Raheem Sterling now looks more likely to stay due to a lack of cover, having barely featured in the first half of his season-long loan. Chelsea and missed the last four matches due to a knee injury. However, the former England winger is expected to return sooner than Saka or Nwaneri.
Nwaneri looked poised for a bigger role in January alone, with Arsenal in action seven more times in four different competitions before the end of the month. It is a series of games that involve collisions Manchester UnitedTottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, Girona and Dinamo Zagreb.
The Gunners are also set to face Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in the first game of February, although Arteta’s focus is firmly on the challenge Newcastle will bring to north London.
“I’m very excited to play this game. The home crowd, the chance to be in the semi-finals, the right to be in the final,” he commented. “It starts tomorrow, two legs and it will obviously be two long games against a very competitive team. We know that but are very excited and we need a big, big atmosphere in our stadium.
