Mikel Arteta reveals how long Arsenal expect to be without Ethan Nwaneri | OneFootball

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has given a concerning update on Ethan Nwaneri following the 17-year-old’s half-time withdrawal against Brighton & Hove Albion at the weekend.

Nwaneri had stepped into the void left by Bukayo Saka’s absence while he recovers 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 Nwaneri was worryingly replaced at half-time by Gabriel Martinelli, with Arteta now confirming Arsenal fans' worst fears about his condition.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of Tuesday night's Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Newcastle United, Arteta said: "Unfortunately, he has picked up an injury and he is going to be out for a few weeks.

Pressed on the nature of the problem, the Spaniard simply replied: "Muscular".

There was no further detail provided on an exact return date, but with Saka already expected to out until March, it presents the Gunners with a real headache on the right flank. Leandro Trossard can play there but is more suited to the left, while Gabriel Jesus has been in top form as a 'number nine'.

It's a huge blow for Nwaneri and Arsenal / Mike Hewitt/GettyImages

Raheem Sterling now appears more likely to stay owing to the lack of cover, having hardly featured during the first half of his season-long loan from Chelsea and missing the last four games with a knee injury. The former England winger is expected back much sooner than Saka or Nwaneri, however.

Nwaneri had appeared set for a big role in January alone, with Arsenal in action seven more times across four different competitions before the end of the month. It is a run of games that includes clashes with Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, Girona and Dinamo Zagreb.

The Gunners are also due to face Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in February's first game, though Arteta's focus was firmly on the challenge Newcastle will bring to north London.

"I’m very excited to play the game. Home crowd, semi-final, the opportunity to earn the right to be in a final," he remarked. "It starts tomorrow, two legs and it’s obviously going to be two long games against a very competitive team. We know that but very excited and we need a big, big atmosphere in our stadium.