Arsenal’s challenging season has taken another hit as Mikel Arteta confirmed a new injury setback following their 1-1 draw against Brighton at the Amex Stadium.
Arsenal’s Injury List Grows as Nwaneri Suffers Muscle Issue Against Brighton
The Gunners’ teenage sensation Ethan Nwaneri, who opened the scoring with a stunning goal, was forced off at halftime with what Arteta described as “muscular issues.”
Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Arteta revealed his concern for the 17-year-old:
“It’s really bad news because I think we’ve lost him. We had to take him off, and it doesn’t look good.”
The manager’s words painted a grim picture for Arsenal fans, who have already seen several key players sidelined in recent weeks.
Arsenal entered the match with a threadbare squad, missing stars like Bukayo Saka, Ben White, and Takehiro Tomiyasu through injury.
Captain Martin Odegaard, battling illness, could only make a brief appearance from the bench.
Arteta acknowledged the toll this relentless schedule has taken on his squad:
“When you’re playing every three days, the injuries start piling up, and it’s difficult to maintain the level of performance and competitiveness.”
Despite a bright start and Nwaneri’s early goal, Arsenal struggled to dominate in the second half.
Brighton equalized through a controversial Joao Pedro penalty, awarded after a clash between William Saliba and the Seagulls forward.
Arteta didn’t hold back his frustration with the decision, calling it “bizarre” and adding, “I’ve never seen anything like it. Saliba clearly touched the ball.”
The draw saw Arsenal drop valuable points in the title race, with Arteta lamenting the lack of control in the second half:
“We didn’t dominate enough or create clear chances. It wasn’t about fatigue but about doing the simple things right.”
The growing injury list will likely push Arsenal to explore reinforcements in the January transfer window.
Arteta hinted at the need for action, stating, “We’ll look at the market and see what we can do to strengthen.”
For now, Arsenal must navigate a congested fixture list with a depleted squad, hoping for better fortunes in the weeks ahead.
