Ethan Nwaneri injury: Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says teenager ‘out for a few weeks’
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says teenage attacking midfielder Ethan Nwaneri will be “out for a few weeks” with a muscle problem.
The 17-year-old came off at half-time Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Brighton After scoring the first goal of the game.
Three days ago, the England Under-19 international made his first Premier League start in the Gunners’ 3-1 win over Brentford.
“Unfortunately he’s injured and he’s going to be out for a few weeks,” Arteta said on Monday.
Nwaneri has made his breakthrough in the first team this season and Saturday’s goal was his fifth in 18 games.
He enjoyed more playing time Bukayo Saka suffers hamstring injury; This will keep the influential England winger out for “several weeks”.
On Nwaneri’s injury, Arteta added: “To be fair, he didn’t really know. He said, ‘I felt something but I didn’t really know what it was’.”
“He’s earned the right to step up and play for us and now he’s started some games – some big games – and impacted those games the way he’s played in different positions.
“I feel bad for him because injuries will prevent that from happening, but it’s another step in the stage of development he’s at. I’m very happy with the way he’s developing.”
Raheem Sterling was also injured just days before Saka, with Arteta saying the on-loan Chelsea striker will return “hopefully soon”.
