Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed that attacking midfielder Ethan Nwaneri will be unavailable for a few weeks after suffering a muscle injury during the team’s Premier League draw against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday. The news comes as Arsenal prepares to face Newcastle United in the League Cup semi-final on Tuesday.
The 17-year-old Nwaneri, an academy product, has been a crucial part of Arsenal’s campaign this season, featuring in 18 matches across all competitions. He has scored five goals, including a vital strike in Saturday’s 1-1 draw, but was substituted at halftime after picking up the injury. Gabriel Martinelli replaced him on the pitch.
“Unfortunately, he has picked up a muscular injury, and he will be out for a few weeks,” Arteta told reporters on Monday.
Nwaneri’s absence compounds Arsenal’s growing injury concerns. Star winger Bukayo Saka is sidelined for over two months after undergoing surgery for a hamstring issue, while forward Raheem Sterling and defenders Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu remain unavailable.
Forward Kai Havertz, who has missed the last two matches due to illness, is also a doubt for Tuesday’s game. Arteta remained cautious about his return, saying, “I hope (Havertz) returns to action, but I don’t want to say yes because last time I said he would be fit and he wasn’t.”
When asked about potential reinforcements during the January transfer window, Arteta was non-committal but hinted at a watchful approach. “What happens in the market, we are very alert. It’s not a yes but it’s not a no,” he said.
Arteta also acknowledged the challenge posed by Newcastle United, who are riding a six-game winning streak across all competitions. The Magpies have claimed impressive victories over Aston Villa, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur, with striker Alexander Isak in sensational form.
“They are a tough opponent. They have very good individual players,” Arteta said. “Obviously, [Isak] is a top player, he’s in top form. He is scoring a lot of goals.” The Swedish striker has netted 14 times in 21 games for Newcastle this season, including seven consecutive Premier League goals.
Arsenal will need to dig deep to overcome Newcastle’s strong form and cope with their depleted squad as they aim to advance to the League Cup final.
