Arsenal have suffered another major injury blow after it was confirmed Eddie Nketiah will be out of action for a number of weeks.
The Gunners have been without the Hale End striker since the 4-0 win over Everton at the start of the month. Nketiah had been a key part of Mikel Arteta's side since the start of 2023 following Gabriel Jesus' injury at the World Cup.
There had been hope that Nketiah would make a return to the north Londoners squad before the international break but Arteta confirmed on Wednesday that he remains sidelined with injury for the time being.
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"It's getting better. He's still in the [protective] boot," the Gunners boss told the media. "He's still a few weeks away and we need to be patient. It was a nasty injury and he has a big challenge ahead of him. Thank God it's not as bad as it could have been."
Fortunately for Arsenal, they welcomed back Jesus in Sunday's win over Fulham, 120 days after his appearance for the club. Jesus remains far from full fitness after such a lengthy period out of action but his return does soften the blow regarding Nketiah.
"Big boost. The first step today. We didn’t know if it was the right game today," Arteta admitted after Fulham. "He said to me a few days ago ‘I’m still missing something.’ Yesterday I looked in his eyes and he said ‘I’m ready’. I said ‘OK!’ So then we had the opportunity to throw him in.
"It’s that first step to give him the big boost. He looks free, he looks ready and straight away he generated those two big chances. It’s great to have him back."
Thursday's Europa League second-leg tie with Sporting CP provides an opportunity for Arteta to rotate his squad. Emile Smith Rowe and Jakub Kiwior could be in contention to start in north London, while Martin Odegaard and Leandro Trossard could feature after missing the first leg.
Nketiah joins Mohamed Elneny as the long-term absentees at London Colney.
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