Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has given a worrying update on Ethan Nwaneri following the 17-year-old's first-half withdrawal against Brighton & Hove Albion at the weekend.
Nwaneri had stepped into the void left by the absence of Bukayo Saka while he recovers from successful hamstring surgery. The youngster made his first Premier League start against Brentford on New Year's Day, before keeping his place for the trip to the south coast.
But Nwaneri was worrying replaced in the first part by Gabriel Martinelli, with Arteta now confirming Arsenal fans' worst fears about his condition.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of Tuesday night's Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Newcastle United, Arteta said: “Unfortunately, he has picked up an injury and will be out for a few weeks.
Pressed on the nature of the problem, the Spaniard replied simply: “Muscular”.
There were no further details on an exact return date, but with Saka not expected to be out until March, it presents the Gunners with a real headache at right-back. Leandro Trossard can play there but is better suited on the left, while Gabriel Jesus has been in top form as the 'number nine'.
Raheem Sterling now looks more likely to stay due to a lack of cover, having barely featured during the first half of his season-long loan from Chelsea and missed the last four games with a knee injury. However, the former England winger is expected to return much sooner than Saka or Nwaneri.
Nwaneri had appeared set for a major role in January alone, with Arsenal in action a further seven times in four different competitions before the end of the month. It is a series of games that involves clashing with Manchester UnitedTottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, Girona and Dinamo Zagreb.
The Gunners also face Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in the first leg of February, although Arteta's focus was firmly on the challenge Newcastle will bring to north London.
“I'm really excited to play the game. The home crowd, the semi-final, the chance to earn the right to be in a final,” he said. “It starts tomorrow, two games and it will obviously be two long games against a very competitive team. We know that, but very excited and we need a big, big atmosphere in our stadium.