Mikel Arteta confirms fresh Arsenal injury blow after West Ham loss

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed a fresh injury blow after the West Ham United defeat on Wednesday.

The Gunners bowed out of the Carabao Cup in the fourth round last night after a 3-1 loss to the Hammers at the London Stadium.

Following the game, Arteta was posed with different questions by the media and one of those was on Emile Smith Rowe's absence.

Smith Rowe started the recent 5-0 victory over Sheffield United in the Premier League and managed to register a quality assist.

However, he was nowhere to be seen against the Hammers. When quizzed on this, Arteta revealed that he had sustained a knee injury.

The Spanish tactician added that the midfielder will be out for action for a few weeks and did not specify an exact return date for him.

The news is a blow for the Gunners, who are already missing Thomas Partey, Gabriel Jesus and Jurrien Timber with injury setbacks.

The latter is a long-term absentee and may not return until late March.