Arsenal Suffer Injury Blow as Ethan Nwaneri Ruled Out for Weeks

Posted : 06 January 2025

Arsenal has been dealt another injury setback with Ethan Nwaneri sidelined for several weeks due to a muscular issue sustained during the team's 1-1 draw with Brighton. The young forward, who scored Arsenal's goal in the match, was forced off at halftime, leaving manager Mikel Arteta with yet another fitness concern.

Nwaneri has been a bright spot this season, netting five goals in 18 appearances after breaking through from the club’s youth ranks. However, his absence comes at a challenging time as Arsenal prepares for a busy run of nine games over 30 days.

Arteta is already grappling with a mounting injury list, including Bukayo Saka, who is out until at least March following hamstring surgery. Raheem Sterling has missed five games with a knee injury, while Martin Odegaard, recovering from illness, could only manage a substitute appearance against Brighton.

Additionally, defenders Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu remain unavailable. Arteta acknowledged the difficulty of losing Nwaneri, saying, "I'm gutted for him because it's going to stop his progress for a while."

The Gunners host Newcastle in the League Cup semifinal first leg on Tuesday, with Arteta hoping for reinforcements in attack. Germany international Kai Havertz may return after missing the Brighton game due to illness, and Sterling is expected back "very soon." However, Arteta was cautious about guarantees, stating, "Last time I said he would be fit, and he wasn’t."

On potential January signings to cover for the injured players, Arteta maintained that Arsenal would only target players who could genuinely improve the squad, rather than signing "bodies" for short-term needs.

Trailing six points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, Arsenal's hopes of winning the league have dimmed, and Arteta might shift focus to the cup competitions to end his trophy drought. The manager, who last lifted silverware with the 2020 FA Cup, sees the League Cup as an opportunity to galvanize his team after consecutive seasons as Premier League runners-up.

"These are challenges we’re facing, but we are working hard to overcome them and continue being a strong team," Arteta said, emphasizing the importance of making the most of opportunities in other tournaments.

Arsenal Suffer Injury Blow as Ethan Nwaneri Ruled Out for Weeks

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