Gabriel Martinelli is facing over a month on the sidelines in one other major injury blow for Arsenal.
The Brazil international was forced off during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg clash against Newcastle United, with the Gunners crashing out of the competition after a 4-0 aggregate defeat.
Despite making an approach to sign Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa and interest in Mathys Tel and Alvaro Morata, Arsenal didn’t make a single addition to their squad throughout the January transfer window.
Martinelli’s absence will now add to those concerns with The Athletic reporting he could miss as much as six games with a hamstring injury.
That timeline will see him miss Premier League games against Leicester City, West Ham United and Nottingham Forest.
He may also be a doubt for the trip to Manchester United on 9 March and the trip to Chelsea the next week.
Arsenal may also begin their Champions League knockout campaign during that period.
Martinelli was taken off within the first-half at St James’ Park on Wednesday, leaving the pitch after just 37 minutes.
‘He felt something, I feel it was his hamstring and he wasn’t comfortable to proceed,’ Arteta said after the match.
‘So we could have to have any MRI scan tomorrow to see the extent of the injury.’
The Gunners are already without Bukayo Saka with Gabriel Jesus set to miss the remainder of the season.
Saka had not featured because the victory over Crystal Palace on 21 December where he picked up a hamstring injury.
While he has been included within the group that travelled to Dubai for warm-weather training, he isn’t expected to return to motion until next month.
With Saka and Martinelli absent, Arteta could have only one member of his first-choice attack available in Kai Havertz. The Germany international is the club’s sole option up front with Raheem Sterling struggling since making his loan switch from Chelsea.
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