Mikel Arteta drops 'really bad news' on Ethan Nwaneri injury after young star is taken off at half-time against Brighton

The 17-year-old, fresh off his first Premier League start, made his mark yet again by scoring his second top-flight goal just 16 minutes into the match. The strike was his fifth across all competitions this season and set a club milestone: Nwaneri became Arsenal’s first player to score multiple Premier League goals before turning 18, surpassing a record previously held by Cesc Fabregas.

However, Nwaneri’s evening ended prematurely as he was forced off due to what Arteta later described as a muscular issue. Speaking to BBC's Match of the Day, Arteta said: "It’s really bad news because I think we’ve lost him. We had to take him off at half-time with some muscular problems."

With Bukayo Saka sidelined until March after undergoing hamstring surgery, Nwaneri has stepped up as a vital component of Arsenal’s attacking lineup. Despite his youth, the teenager has displayed maturity and composure, becoming a key part of Arteta’s first-team plans.

Arteta’s tactical ingenuity and squad depth will be put to the test as Arsenal seek to maintain momentum in their pursuit of silverware in cup competitions. The Gunners are set to face Newcastle United in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final tie on Tuesday, followed by a high-stakes FA Cup third-round clash against Manchester United.