Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that he was forced to bring Ethan Nwaneri off at half time in their 1-1 Premier League draw with Brighton & Hove Albion due to injury.
The 17-year-old was given the nod for his second successive start in the competition at the Amex Stadium and made history with the opening goal, coolly slotting home underneath Bart Verbruggen's legs.
In doing so, Nwaneri became the first Arsenal player to score more than one Premier League goal before turning 18, and just the sixth from any club in the history of the competition.
The England youth international's evening of celebration was cut short, though, as he was taken off at half time for Gabriel Martinelli in what initially appeared to be a precautionary move from Arteta.
Nwaneri had picked up a yellow card for time-wasting just before the half-time whistle blew, and the consensus was that he was hauled off in order to avoid the possibility of a second-half sending-off.
Arteta reveals muscle problem for Nwaneri
© Imago
However, speaking to BBC Match of the Day at full time, Arteta confirmed that the teenager had to be withdrawn owing to a new muscular problem, the severity of which remains unclear at this juncture.
"Really bad news because I think we've lost him, we had to take him off at half-time with some muscular issues," the Gunners boss said as he works around a selection crisis out wide.
Arsenal are already missing Bukayo Saka (hamstring) and Raheem Sterling (knee), and Nwaneri's chances of appearing in Tuesday's EFL Cup semi-final first leg against Newcastle United now appear very slim.
After Nwaneri was taken off, Brighton took the game by the scruff of the neck and levelled in controversial circumstances, as William Saliba was penalised for a 'headbutt' on Joao Pedro inside the Arsenal area.
Referee Anthony Taylor awarded the hosts a spot kick after a few seconds of hesitation, and Pedro calmly sent David Raya the wrong way before Brighton spurned a couple of opportunities to nick all three points right at the death.
Arteta: 'I have never seen a penalty like this in my life'
© Imago
Pedro and Saliba both challenged for a header inside the box, and the Brazilian just got to the ball first before Saliba's head made contact with his temple, causing the Brighton striker to writhe in agony on the turf.
Lamenting the decision to award Brighton the spot kick, Arteta said: "We are really disappointed with the decision that leads to the goal because I have never seen something like this in my life.
"I asked the boys if they had & nobody has seen it before. He touches the ball as well. I checked & after three seconds they said they already checked. It seems quick."
Arsenal's draw at the Amex means that Liverpool can move eight points clear at the top of the table by beating Manchester United on Sunday, and the Reds crucially still have a game in hand on the Gunners.
Ben Knapton
