Ethan Nwaneri Forced Off With Injury During Brighton Clash
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed another setback for the club as Ethan Nwaneri was ruled out with a muscular issue during their 1-1 draw with Brighton. The 17-year-old, who had been touted as a potential replacement for Bukayo Saka, was substituted at halftime after opening the scoring in the 16th minute.
Initially, speculation suggested the substitution was tactical after Nwaneri received a yellow card for time-wasting. However, Arteta clarified in his post-match interview with BBC Match of the Day that the decision was due to injury concerns. “It’s really bad news because I think we’ve lost him [Nwaneri],” Arteta revealed. “We had to take him off at halftime with some muscular issues.” This injury is a significant blow, given Nwaneri’s impressive start and ability to adapt to various roles on the pitch.
Bukayo Saka’s Absence Looms Large
Nwaneri’s injury comes as Arsenal continues to grapple with the absence of star winger Bukayo Saka, who is sidelined with a torn hamstring. Saka sustained the injury during Arsenal’s 5-1 victory over Crystal Palace on December 21, leaving Arteta with limited options in attack. The 23-year-old underwent surgery and vowed to return stronger via an Instagram post.
“It’s not looking good. He’s going to be out for many weeks,” Arteta admitted. This setback marks the second time Saka has faced hamstring issues this season, having previously missed 39 days due to a similar problem in October. The recurrence has raised questions about Arsenal’s injury management, with Arteta acknowledging the need for preventive measures. “Probably there are ways to prevent the injury. We are looking at everything and what we can do differently,” he said.
A Growing Injury Crisis at Arsenal
The Arsenal’ injury woes are not limited to Nwaneri and Saka. Key players, including Oleksandr Zinchenko, Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Raheem Sterling, remain unavailable. Arteta provided updates on their recovery progress, expressing cautious optimism about Sterling’s potential return in the coming weeks.
“Sterling is starting to do some stuff on the pitch, so that’s great news,” Arteta said. “Ben [White] is still a few weeks away, and Tomiyasu has done some stuff on the pitch, but we need to see how quickly he can progress and how he reacts.” With nine games scheduled this month, Arsenal’s squad depth is being tested to its limits.
Declan Rice’s Workload Under Scrutiny
Arteta also highlighted concerns over Declan Rice’s workload, revealing that the midfielder has been playing through “niggles” in recent games. Rice, a cornerstone of Arsenal’s midfield, has been instrumental in their campaign but faces a grueling schedule.
“In his case especially, he plays so much football. We have nine games in this period this month,” Arteta said. “We have to manage every player, and there are no exceptions.” The Arsenal boss emphasized the importance of careful player management to prevent further injuries, a sentiment underscored by the team’s growing list of sidelined stars.
Arsenal’s Title Hopes Hang in the Balance
Despite the injury setbacks, Arsenal remains just five points off the Premier League leaders. However, the absence of key players like Saka and the mounting pressure on young talents such as Nwaneri raises questions about their ability to sustain a title challenge.
Arteta’s focus now shifts to finding tactical solutions while awaiting the return of his injured stars. The manager remains optimistic but realistic about the challenges ahead. “It’s going to be a big exercise for us to overcome another challenge,” he concluded.
Arsenal fans will hope the medical team can expedite recoveries as the Gunners aim to maintain their momentum in the Premier League title race.
