Arsenal midfielder Ethan Nwaneri has been ruled out for “a few weeks” as Arsenal’s injury concerns worsen ahead of their EFL Cup semi-final first leg against Newcastle.

Key man Bukayo Saka has undergone surgery on a hamstring injury which could keep him out for longer and 17-year-old Nwaneri impressed in his place on the right wing against Brighton at the weekend.

However, he came off at half-time after scoring and was replaced by Gabriel Martinelli.

“Unfortunately he has a muscular injury, he will be out for a few weeks,” manager Mikel Arteta told reporters on Monday.

We don’t stop 💪 pic.twitter.com/sKBq9fxAyQ

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 6, 2025

“He’s earned the right to step up and play for us and now he’s started some big games, and impacted those games the way he has in different positions.

“So I’m upset for him because the injury is going to stop him. But that’s another step in the development phase that it’s in.”

Forward Raheem Sterling and defenders Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu remain on the sidelines and forward Kai Havertz, who missed the north London side’s last two games through illness, is also a doubt for the home game against Newcastle.

“I hope (Havertz) will return to action, but I don’t want to say yes because last time I said he would be fit and he is not fit,” Arteta said.

Asked about bringing in reinforcements in the January transfer window, the Spaniard said: “What happens in the market, we are very alert. It’s not a yes but it’s not a no.”

Arteta was full of praise for Newcastle, who have won their last six games in all competitions, including impressive wins against Aston Villa, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.

“They are tough opponents. They have very good individual players,” Arteta said, noting a rich vein of form from Alexander Isak, the Swede who scored 14 goals in 21 games for Newcastle, including seven straight in the Premier League.

“Obviously he is a top player, he is in top form. He is scoring a lot of goals.”

The second leg will be held on February 5.