Latest Arsenal injury news with Kai Havertz update amid Ethan Nwaneri concern

Arsenal star Ethan Nwaneri is set for spell on the side-lines after Mikel Arteta confirmed that the young midfielder has suffered an injury setback.

The Gunners will take on Newcastle United in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final on Tuesday night. Arsenal go into the game at the Emirates Stadium on the back of a draw with Brighton in the Premier League.

It was during the draw with the Seagulls that rising star Nwaneri suffered a muscular injury. The teenager scored at the Amex Stadium, but had to be withdrawn at half-time with a suspected knock.

Arteta has confirmed that Nwaneri has been ruled out for the impending clash against Newcastle and is expected to remain side-lined for several weeks.

"Unfortunately, he [Nwaneri] has picked up an injury and is going to be out for a few weeks," Arteta said during his pre-match press conference, before clarifying: "Muscular injury."

"Yeah, he didn't really know," the Arsenal manager added. "[He said]; 'I am feeling something, what is it'?

"He has earned the right to step up and to play for us and now he has started some games, some big games and impacted those games in the way he has done in different positions, too.

"So I am gutted for him because the injury is going to stop that, but it is another step in that development phase that he is in. I am really happy with the way he is going."

Arsenal will hope that Kai Havertz is available to feature against Newcastle, after their forward missed the last two matches due to illness. Arteta, though, would not confirm if the German international would be fit enough to return to the matchday squad to face Newcastle.

"I hope so, but I don't want to say yes because last time I said he [Havertz] was going to be fit and he wasn't," said Arteta when asked if he expects Havertz to be available for Tuesday night's clash at the Emirates Stadium.

Raheem Sterling has also been side-lined with a knee injury over the last few weeks, missing the last four Premier League matches in the process. Arteta has expressed optimism that the Chelsea loanee will be available soon and echoed that view when asked about Sterling's fitness on Monday.

"Hopefully very soon," said Arteta when asked about Sterling's return from injury.

Bukayo Saka, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are also still on the side-lines due to injury. Jurrien Timber could make a return to the squad after missing the draw with Brighton through suspension after picking up five yellow cards in the Premier League this season.

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