Arsenal have been handed a blow to their hopes of winning the Premier League this season following the latest injury blow to Eddie Nketiah. The 23-year-old striker has proved integral to the Gunners' title charge, shouldering the goalscoring duties in the absence of Gabriel Jesus.
The Brazil international suffered medial ligament damage against Cameroon while on international duty at the World Cup. Jesus later returned to London for surgery on his knee before being enrolled on a lengthy rehabilitation program back at London Colney.
During the Brazilian's absence, Nketiah rose to the challenge and often fired Arsenal to a number of pivotal wins. However, the Gunners will now be without the Hale End Graduate until after the international break — late March to early April — due to an ankle injury, football.london understands.
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Nketiah, who sees his contract at the Emirates Stadium expire in 2027, has featured 33 times for Arsenal this season, directly contributing towards 11 goals — four of which came in wins over West Ham, Brighton and Manchester United during the congested schedule over New Years.
In January, the youngster netted twice against Oxford United to book the Gunners a place in the FA Cup fourth-round. Speaking to the press after the game, Arteta heaped great praise on Nketiah for capitalising on his opportunity to impress.
"Obviously he's been waiting for this moment," said the Spaniard, as quoted by Sky Sports. "He's been patient when he needed to be but as well he's been with the right mindset and preparing himself for this moment.
"That's why I think he looks ready and why he's performing the way he is. He showed great composure. He's a great finisher, the timing of his runs and the decision-making in waiting until the last moment when the keeper was committed shows his quality. His understanding, his work-rate, I think he's getting better and better."
Despite Nketiah's great run of form over the winter period, Arteta had recently begun to utilise Leandro Trossard or Gabriel Martinelli at the forefront of Arsenal's strike force. So, while the England youth international will be sorely missed, the Gunners boss already has a backup plan to extinguish any disruption which his injury may cause.
Not to mention the recent return of Jesus, who enjoyed a brief cameo off the bench in Arsenal's win over Fulham at the weekend.
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