Arsenal have recalled Jordi Osei-Tutu from his loan to Nottingham Forest, as he works on his recovery from an injury.
Right as Arsenal prepare to take on Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup this weekend, there’s some transfer news involving the two clubs.
Arsenal have confirmed that loanee Jordi Osei-Tutu has returned to North London following the termination of his loan at Forest. The 23-year-old made four appearances in a campaign marred by injury problems.
After a couple of early starts for Forest in August, Osei-Tutu suffered a hamstring injury in Forest’s game against Blackburn Rovers.
The right-back had three hamstring setbacks with Cardiff City last campaign, so it must have felt like groundhog day. He spent almost four months out of action this time around.
Osei-Tutu then made his return from injury in December, playing 89 minutes against Swansea City and starting a home game against Hull City.
However, after picking up a knock with a contact injury in the first half, Osei-Tutu was unable to continue, eventually being substituted in the 40th minute.
Rather than another hamstring injury, it turned out Osei-Tutu had an ankle problem, and he’s facing another two months out.
“It’s really, really disappointing for the boy, (it was an) innocuous challenge as we all saw,” Forest boss Steve Cooper said. “He was playing really well in the game.
“Last week, we were just talking about getting a bit of luck when maybe I shouldn’t have said anything, but he’s positive with himself (laughs) he’s telling me he thinks he’ll be back quicker, so he’s obviously in the right frame of mind.
“But I just feel sorry for him, a young player that’s trying to forge a career.
“I really, really hope that this bad luck he has will make him stronger and better for the future.”
It seems Osei-Tutu is set to undergo his rehabilitation work with his parent club, and he’ll likely feature for the u23s when he returns to fitness.
Though Arsenal do have space for him in their first-team squad list, so they’ll probably include him just in case.