Ethan Nwaneri is set for a short spell on the sidelines after being forced off at half-time during our game against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.
The 17-year-old had put us in front at the Amex Stadium with his fifth goal in our colours but had to be withdrawn due to a muscular injury, which Mikel Arteta believes will keep him out of action for the remainder of the month.
That means Ethan won’t be available for our Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle United on Tuesday night, having played a huge role in helping us to the final four with three goals netted during our run so far.
“Unfortunately he’s picked up an injury and is going to be out for a few weeks, it’s a muscular injury,” Mikel said in his pre-match press conference.
“He didn’t really know, he said: ‘I’m feeling something but I don’t really know, what is it?’ He has earned the right to step up and play for us and now he starts to have some games and impact them, which he’s done in different positions as well, so I’m gutted for him because it’s going to stop that a little bit.
“But it’s another step in that development phase that he’s in, but I’m really happy with the way he is going.”
Doubts remain as to whether Kai Havertz will be available for the boss when the Magpies come to north London for the first leg, after the German striker missed our first two matches of 2025 through illness, and Mikel isn’t sure if he’ll be ready for this one or not.
When asked about Kai’s chances of returning, he said: “I hope so but I don’t want to say yes because last time I said I thought he was going to be fit and he wasn’t fit.”
Mikel also confirmed that Raheem Sterling could be back very soon, but has heaped praise on his players’ adaptability given the constant changes due to injury and illness, and feels that there could be long-term benefits amongst the adversity.
“We discussed the situation and the fact that we have to use players in positions that they probably haven’t played in before. We are learning a lot from that and what I learn especially is the willingness of the team.
“You speak to any individual and ask him to play anywhere on the field and they say: ‘I’m there’. That’s great as well to learn from your players.
“It’s a good learning process, not only tactically but also preparation and training with very few players. Today we had seven or eight players with us just to fill the squad which isn’t normal. It’s a weird way to learn, but I’ll take it. I cannot change it so let’s take the things that we can get out of it to be better."
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