Arsenal injury latest on Nwaneri, Saka, & Martinelli | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta gave injury updates on Ethan Nwaneri, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Martinelli during his pre-Nottingham Forest press conference on Tuesday.

Photo via Arsenal.com

With Arsenal already having four forwards out injured, Saturday’s game against West Ham raised another concern as Ethan Nwaneri was forced off early.

Despite initial fears of an injury, Mikel Arteta has confirmed that the player was just cramping, suffering the effects of the significant changes to his minutes in recent weeks.

“Ethan, he was just cramping,” Arteta confirmed. “Obviously his load has been very different in recent weeks. But he’s fine.”

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Arteta was also asked about Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, and while the manager suggested both are doing well, he added that neither will be involved against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday.

“Bukayo [Saka] and Gabi [Martinelli], yeah, they are progressing really well but are still a bit far to come back,” Arteta admitted.

Recent reports have suggested that a return for Saka and Martinelli at the start of April is the most likely outcome.

The pair are seemingly on track to be back a little earlier than that, but the March international break starts on March 17th, so unless they’re ready before that, Arsenal won’t have another game for them to play until April 1st.

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With Saka and Martinelli likely missing the next four or five games, it’s all the more important that Nwaneri stays fit.

Arsenal don’t have too many alternatives to the front threes they started against Leicester City and West Ham United, so the players need to find a way to get through these next few games.