Arsenal hit with injury blow as Mikel Arteta provides update on £60m-rated figure
The Gunners could be without a key player for upcoming Premier League clash
Mikel Arteta has provided a less than positive update on his number one goalkeeper David Raya ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League clash against Leicester on Saturday.
The Gunners were without the Spanish shot stopper - who Fabrizio Romano recently valued at £60 million - for their triumphant 5-1 EFL Cup win over Bolton, with 16-year-old Jack Porter earning making first Arsenal appearance.
It was an unusual and unprecedented situation for the Gunners head coach who had been forced to rest Raya after he sustained an injury during Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Manchester City on Sunday. Arsenal’s number two keeper Neto was already cup-tied, having played for AFC Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup ahead of his deadline day move to the Emirates, while third choice keeper Tommy Setford is also injured.
Academy star Porter then became the youngest ever goalkeeper in the competition as he stood in the net, aiding his side in their thumping over League One Bolton.
Speaking to the media after the whistle, Arteta was subsequently questioned over whether he believed Raya would be fit enough to return to the matchday squad for Saturday’s home fixture against the Foxes and while first reports indicated that the 29-year-old’s injury was by no means serious, the Arsenal head coach’s comments were far from optimistic.
Asked on Raya’s availability, Arteta replied simply: “We don’t know yet.” He was then further probed as to the nature of the injury and while the reporter indicated that Raya’s predicament was in his thigh, the Gunners’ head coach added: It’s a muscular injury, yes.”
Whether Raya is fit enough or not, it seems unlikely that Porter will earn his second call-up so soon after his first as the ex-Cherries keeper Neto will now be back in contention to make his own Gunners debut.
Arsenal vs Bolton’s only potential Gunners casualty was 17-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly who hobbled off the 60th minute of action. The left-back had been enjoying a blistering Emirates debut before sustaining a knock off the ball. While it initially appeared as if he would carry on, the versatile youngster eventually made way for Arsenal stalwart Gabriel.