Arsenal has suffered another blow as Ethan Nwaneri is set for a spell on the sidelines after he was forced off at half-time in the 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, Afrosport reports.
The 17-year-old put the Gunners in front at the Amex Stadium for his second Premier League goal but had to be taken off at the break and was replaced by Gabriel Martinelli.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, speaking ahead of the EFL Cup semi-final first leg at home against Newcastle United said Nwaneri is expected to be out for the rest of the month of January.
“Unfortunately he’s picked up an injury and is going to be out for a few weeks, it’s a muscular injury,” he said.
“He didn’t really know, he said: ‘I’m feeling something but I don’t really know, what is it?’ He has earned the right to step up and play for us and now he starts to have some games and impact them, which he’s done in different positions as well, so I’m gutted for him because it’s going to stop that a little bit.
“But it’s another step in that development phase that he’s in, but I’m really happy with the way he is going.”
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Nwaneri started Arsenal’s last two league matches after Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling picked up injuries.
The academy graduate, aside from his two league goals, has scored three goals in the EFL Cup. He first netted a brace in the third round 5-1 win over Bolton Wanderers before scoring once in the 3-0 win at Preston North End in the fourth round.
