Arsenal have suffered a fresh injury blow after rising star Ethan Nwaneri was ruled out for “a few weeks” with a muscular problem.
Nwaneri suffered the injury in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw against Brighton on Saturday and had to be taken off at halftime.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta confirmed the teenage forward, who had scored his side’s first-half goal against Brighton, faces an extended spell on the sidelines.
The 17-year-old has scored five times in 18 appearances in all competitions this term after emerging from the Arsenal youth academy.
With England forward Bukayo Saka expected to be out until at least March following surgery on a hamstring injury, Nwaneri’s absence is another setback for Arteta ahead of a hectic spell of nine games in 30 days.
Raheem Sterling has missed the last five matches with a knee injury, while Kai Havertz was absent from the Brighton match through illness.
Ill captain Martin Odegaard was only fit enough for a second-half cameo against Brighton, while defenders Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are also sidelined.
“Unfortunately Ethan has picked up a muscular injury, he will be out for a few weeks,” Arteta told reporters on Monday.
“He has earned the right to step up and play for us. I’m gutted for him because it’s going to stop that a little bit.”
