Arsenal youth midfielder Ben Cottrell has confirmed he’s had surgery after another frustrating injury setback.

Ben Cottrell trains with the Arsenal u23s (Photo via Arsenal Academy on Twitter)
Ben Cottrell trains with the Arsenal u23s (Photo via Arsenal Academy on Twitter)

Posting on his Instagram story, Ben Cottrell confirmed on Thursday that he’d had another injury setback, tearing his adductor muscle.

The young midfielder added that surgery on the problem had gone well, but he was understandably frustrated to be back on the injury list.

“Sometimes life isn’t fair, but I’m forever grateful for what I do have,” Cottrell wrote.

“Just another obstacle to overcome, surgery went well, back to the hard work to get back!”

Cottrell picked up the injury in rather bizarre circumstances, calling for a substitution after stumbling as he scored a penalty against Derby County.

Despite his goal earning Arsenal a point on the road, the 20-year-old has paid a heavy price for taking on the spot-kick responsibility.

Ben Cottrell's Instagram story post about his surgery
Ben Cottrell’s Instagram story post about his surgery

The particular frustration for Cottrell is that he’s been in a revolving door of injury problems over the last year.

The midfielder played every game for the u23s last season until late February, when he picked up his first injury. He made his comeback against West Ham in August, only to pick up a new problem in October.

Cottrell eventually returned in January against Bournemouth, and once again, he suffered another injury soon after.

He’s now picked up three injuries over a period in which he’s started five competitive academy games.

By way of encouragement and to end on a positive note, I’d say that a run of injuries can often happen with young players, and many of them shake it off once they get further into their twenties.

Cottrell is a talented youngster, so hopefully, he’ll be the next one on that list.