Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has confirmed Eddie Nketiah remains out ahead of Thursday night’s Europa League clash.
the gunners boss told football. london The 23-year-old striker is a few weeks away from an ankle injury.
Nketiah has missed Arsenal’s last three games and will miss Thursday night’s last-16 second-leg tie against Sporting CP.
The Hale End graduate has impressed in the absence of Gabriel Jesus, scoring six goals in 12 appearances before the ankle injury.
Arteta stressed that Nketiah is improving, but he still needs protective boots, so patience is key.
“He’s getting better and better,” Arteta said, according to football.london.
“He’s still in the boot. He’s still a few weeks away and we need to be patient.
“It’s a serious injury and he faces a huge challenge.
“Thank God it could have been worse. So he’s doing just fine.”
Increased injuries elsewhere
Nketiah deserves credit for stepping up when Arsenal needed him most.
Aaron Ramsdale recently told guys Podcast says Nketiah is Arsenal’s most underrated player
The Gunners goalkeeper described his team-mate as “incredible”.
Right now, Nketiah is sadly on the sidelines, but luckily for the Gunners, he is recovering.
More good luck came to Arsenal, Jesus returned.
The Brazilian striker came off the bench in Sunday’s 3-0 win over Fulham.
Jesus came on in the 77th minute after missing the World Cup with a knee injury.
He could now start for Arsenal for the first time against Sporting Lisbon last November.
Likewise, Leandro Trossard is fit again and impressed with a hat-trick of assists last time out.
In other news, report: Liverpool goal-shooting ability ‘incredible’ ‘has other plans’, unlikely to join Reds
