Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has admitted the team's injury crisis is the worst he has seen at the club - after Ethan Nwaneri became the latest star to suffer a set-back. The Gunners have been battling with fitness issues across the board in this campaign, having already lost captain Martin Odegaard for a lengthy spell earlier on.
Ben White is currently sidelined after undergoing knee surgery in November while Bukayo Saka is out for two months after tearing his hamstring in a major blow. Other affected players include defender Takehiro Tomiyasu and winger Raheem Sterling, who are also nursing knee problems, while Kai Havertz has been struggling with illness.
Arsenal were handed another setback on top of their injury crisis after Jurrien Timber was suspended for the 1-1 draw to Brighton, meaning Thomas Partey had to fill in at right-back. Speaking ahead his side's Carabao Cup semi-final clash against Newcastle, Arteta was asked if he had faced an injury crisis like this. He replied: "Probably not. It’s a very good learning process, not only tactically but with preparation and training with very few players.
“Today we had seven, eight players with us and just [had] to fill the squad, which is unknown. But it is a way to learn as well, this is how I take it. I cannot change it, so let’s take the things that we can get out of them to be better. We discuss about the situation obviously and we have to use players in positions they have probably not played before.
