Arsenal have confirmed Brooke Norton-Cuffy is expected to be out of action for around six weeks after surgery on a knee problem.

After receiving a call-up to the England u18s last month, Arsenal youth defender Brooke Norton-Cuffy had to withdraw with an injury. A couple of weeks later, he confirmed that he had to have surgery on the problem.

Now, Arsenal have confirmed the nature of the problem. They write in the matchday programme that Norton-Cuffy had a small operation on his left knee, and he’s expected to be out for around six weeks.

After his operation, Norton-Cuffy wrote on Instagram: “Minor setback but ready to come back stronger.

“Many of you probably don’t know, but today I had an operation. Surgery went well and I will be back soon.”

It’s unlikely the right-back sustained the injury with England, as he was already absent for the youth games immediately preceding the international break. He’d been in training with the first team earlier in the week.

The Arsenal u23s do have alternatives at right-back and right-wing-back, fortunately. Ryan Alebiosu has made himself a starter recently with some impressive wing-back performances opposite Joel Lopez on the other side.

There’s also Zak Swanson, and young Reuell Walters, so there are plenty of options until Norton-Cuffy returns. When he does, he should find Kevin Betsy’s new system suits him well, allowing him to get forward regularly.