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Arsenal's injury woes seemingly worsened at Brighton on Saturday evening with Mikel Arteta confirming post-match that Ethan Nwaneri sustained a muscle issue.
The teenager was once again included in Arteta's XI at the Amex and was responsible for Arsenal taking an early lead. Nwaneri broke in behind and fired past Bart Verbruggen for his second Premier League goal.
However, the Bukayo Saka stand-in was forced off at half-time and replaced by Gabriel Martinelli. Minutes after Mikel Merino missed a good chance to double Arsenal's advantage, Brighton controversially equalised via Joao Pedro from the penalty spot and looked more likely to claim a late winner.
Not much was made of Nwaneri's half-time exit, but Arteta confirmed post-match that the withdrawal was injury-related.
Mikel Arteta confirms Ethan Nwaneri injury after Brighton draw
Arteta to BBC on Nwaneri: "Really bad news because I think we've lost him, we had to take him off at half-time with some muscular issues." #AFC
— Sam Dean (@SamJDean) January 4, 2025
Arsenal entered the contest without Saka and Raheem Sterling, while Kai Havertz missed out again through illness. Martin Odegaard also wasn't deemed fully fit to start but entered the fray after Pedro levelled.
The Gunners should soon benefit from Havertz and Sterling's returns, but they may be without their precocious 17-year-old for the foreseeable future. Despite his youth, Nwaneri looked at home in Saka's role and could still be a viable solution for the superstar's absence.
However, Arteta's post-match injury update will come as a concern for the Gunners.
"Really bad news because I think we've lost him, we had to take him off at half-time with some muscular issues," the Spaniard told the BBC (via Sam Dean).
Arsenal's point on Saturday means Liverpool can go eight points clear with a game in hand should they beat a dire Manchester United side at Anfield. There have simply been too many challenges for this team to overcome, and a focus on the cup competitions must start to come into Arteta's thinking. A two-legged Carabao Cup semi-final with Newcastle is on the horizon and the Gunners look set on progressing automatically into the Champions League round of 16.
Saka's injury should've convinced the club that superior cover was required in January, and Nwaneri's setback must spark activity in the transfer market. There have been links to Matheus Cunha, but prising him away from Wolves will be difficult midway through the season. The Brazilian also isn't a right-winger. Who knows what direction the club will go, but attacking reinforcements are doubtlessly required if Arsenal are to sustain their challenges across multiple competitions.