Arsenal is set to host Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup semifinals tonight and will without the services of talented youngster, Ethan Nwaneri. The young Englishman opened the scoring for Mikel Arteta’s side in the 1-1 stalemate with Brighton Hove and Albion, and had to be substituted for Gabriel Martinelli at half time.
Speaking with journalists at the Sobha Realty Training Center, Arteta provided some vital updates on the fitness of some key players ahead of the all-important crunch clash with the Magpies.
Ethan Nwaneri
Arsenal v Leicester City 28 September 2024 London – Premier League Football – Arsenal FC v Leicester City – Ethan Nwaneri of Arsenal is challenged by Victor Kristiansen of Leicester City. Photo by Mark Leech. London UK *** Arsenal gegen Leicester City 28. September 2024 London Premier League Fußball Arsenal FC gegen Leicester City Ethan Nwaneri von Arsenal wird von Victor Kristiansen von Leicester City angegriffen Foto von Mark Leech London UK PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xMarkxLeechxOffside
Arsenal fans clamored for Nwaneri to be featured more often when Martin Odegaard suffered that nasty ankle injury that sidelined him for months, but the head coach eased him into proceedings. Fast forward to the last couple of weeks and with Bukayo Saka injured, as well as Raheem Sterling crocked, Arteta deployed Gabriel Martinelli on the right but Nwaneri was a surprise addition, playing very well in the Brentford victory, which rightfully earned him a chance to enjoy an extended run-out in the team.
Unfortunately, Arsenal will be without the services of Nwaneri after he suffered a muscular injury in the Brighton game and had to be yanked off at half time,
Arsenal head coach, Mikel Arteta, confirmed this in his press conference,
“It’s really bad news because I think we’ve lost him, we had to take him off at half-time with some muscular issues,”
It has been reported that Nwaneri will miss the remainder of January 2025 due to this injury and may be available for selection from next month. This is a big blow to the youngster because he had managed to nail down a starting berth for a couple of weeks and was willing to strut his stuff on a consistent basis.
Kai Havertz
Arsenal FC v Brighton & Hove Albion FC – Premier League Jack Hinshelwood of Brighton and Hove Albion, Kai Havertz of Arsenal and Carlos Baleba of Brighton and Hove Albion challenge during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Emirates Stadium on August 31, 2024 in London, England. London Emirates Stadium England United Kingdom PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUK Copyright: xNealxSimpson/Sportsphoto/APLx 14046968
Arsenal’s leading scorer, Kai Havertz, has been on the sidelines for the last two games due to illness and it’s unlikely that he will be fit enough to start tonight’s clash with Newcastle. Arteta shared this sentiment in his presser,
“I hope so but I don’t want to say yes because last time I said I thought he (Havertz) was going to be fit and he wasn’t fit.”
Like Martin Odegaard and Martinelli over the weekend, Havertz might be fit enough to earn a place on the bench and will probably serve as a stop gap option when required.
Raheem Sterling
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 18: Raheem Sterling, Marc Guehi, Tyrick Mitchell during the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on December 18, 2024 in London. England. Photo by Sebastian Frej EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications Arsenal v Crystal Palace – Carabao Cup Quarter Final Copyright: xSebastianxFrejx
Raheem Sterling was signed to serve as a backup to Saka so it must have been troubling for Arteta to see both Saka and Sterling get injured around similar times. The gaffer has confirmed that Sterling will be ‘coming back soon’, but there was no time frame attached to the statement.
