Arsenal defender Jordi Osei-Tutu might not play again until March.
The 22-year-old left the Gunners last summer to join Championhip side Cardiff City on a season-long loan.
But it’s been an injury-hit stint in Wales for the young right-back, who hasn’t kicked a ball for the Bluebirds since October due to a hamstring issue.
And now his manager, Neil Harris, has told BBC Sport that the Arsenal academy prospect may be out for the next six weeks.
He said: “The need for a right-back has been there for six months. Jordi is not season-ending, maybe it’s going to be four to six weeks unfortunately. It’s the same hamstring as it was before. There’s frustration in that obviously for me and the lad and the group.”
This could’ve been a big gateway season for Osei-Tutu.
Well, it still could be, but he has a lot more to do now, especially if Harris signs a replacement.
Arsenal’s right-back situation isn’t great at the moment and long term, there’s absolutely a window there for Osei-Tutu to exploit.
Cedric Soares has proven a bizarre signing by the Gunners and Hector Bellerin is not only routinely linked with moves away from the Emirates Stadium, but he’s also often injured.
A brilliant loan in the Championship might’ve opened the door for Osei-Tutu to stake a serious claim to staying with Mikel Arteta’s senior side next season, but things haven’t worked out.
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