Arsenal's English striker Eddie Nketiah (C) and teammates celebrate after Arsenal win the penalty shoot-out after the English FA Community Shield football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium, in London, August 6, 2023. Arsenal won after a 4-1 penalty shoot-out win, following the 1-1 draw in 90 minutes. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal forward picks up knee injury in Fulham draw

Aug 27, 2023

Eddie Nketiah reportedly picked up an injury in Arsenal’s draw with Fulham on Saturday, but the hope is that it’s nothing serious.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal celebrates after scoring the team's second goal with team mate Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Nottingham Forest at Emirates Stadium on August 12, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) — LONDON, ENGLAND: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal celebrates after scoring the team’s second goal with team mate Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Nottingham Forest at Emirates Stadium on August 12, 2023. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Twitter user @AFCAMDEN reports that he understands Eddie Nketiah picked up a knee injury during Arsenal’s draw with Fulham on Saturday.

The striker is set to be assessed over the coming days, but the hope is that it’s nothing serious.

Understand Eddie picked up a knee injury today. Will be assessed in the next few days but ‘hopefully nothing serious’.

Was superb when he came on. Really growing as a player. Would start him next week if fit.

— AFCAMDEN (@AFCAMDEN) August 26, 2023

Arsenal have already had their fair share of knee injuries in recent weeks, with Jurrien Timber and Gabriel Jesus among the most notable sufferers.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: Jurrien Timber of Arsenal receives medical treatment during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Nottingham Forest at Emirates Stadium on August 12, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) — LONDON, ENGLAND: Jurrien Timber of Arsenal receives medical treatment during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Nottingham Forest at Emirates Stadium on August 12, 2023. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Timber is expected to miss most or all of the 2023/24 campaign after an ACL injury, whilst Jesus missed the start of the season after he required a follow-up procedure on the problem he sustained last December.

Jesus’ latest procedure wasn’t nearly as impactful as his initial setback, however, and he was back on the pitch in the final minutes against Fulham at the weekend.

With any luck, Nketiah’s problem will be closer to Jesus’ than Timber’s, or perhaps even something he can shake off before the next game. But it’s going to be a nervous few days waiting on the assessments.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal celebrates scoring the team's first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Nottingham Forest at Emirates Stadium on August 12, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) — LONDON, ENGLAND: Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal celebrates scoring the team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Nottingham Forest at Emirates Stadium on August 12, 2023. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Nketiah has been vital for Arsenal in the early games of the season, giving the team the lead with goals against Nottingham Forest and Fulham, and winning a penalty for the Gunners to take the lead against Crystal Palace.

Without those three goals, Arsenal would have just two points instead of seven.

Even with Jesus returning, Nketiah’s fitness looks very important right now.