ARSENAL have suffered another attacking injury blow after Reiss Nelson hobbled out of their final friendly before the Premier League returns.
Nelson, 23, who scored against AC Milan in Dubai earlier this week and has two goals in two Premier League appearances this season, pulled up feeling his hamstring in the first half of Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat to Juventus.
The goals both came from Arsenal’s own wrongdoing as Granit Xhaka and Rob Holding both put through their own net.
Mikel Arteta, who is already without Gabriel Jesus following knee surgery, said: “We don’t know the extent of the injury.
“The fact that he had to leave the pitch straight away is not good news, especially with someone like Reiss, who is really powerful and fast.
“Let’s see what will happen.”
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Eddie Nketiah will lead the line for the Gunners when they host West Ham on Boxing Day following Jesus’ injury.
The Gunners striker has two goals across the four mid-season friendlies the Prem leaders have played this month, but missed a sitter against the Italians.
Arteta has no concerns about his ability to step up.
He said: “Eddie is always ready, he knows that obviously, it opens up an opportunity for him with Gabi being out, and he needs to grab it.
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“But the way he trains every day and the mentality he has, he gives us no reason to think that he is going to be anything but super-ready to perform.”
Nketiah was tipped to leave Arsenal throughout last season, with Crystal Palace heavily linked with him.
However, no transfer took place, and now he has the chance to prove himself at the Emirates.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
