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Arsenal midfielder Louie Copley has revealed he sustained an ACL injury during the club's 3–1 loss to Real Betis.
Copley, 19, appeared against both Betis and Girona as a substitute, looking to make his mark while the likes of Declan Rice, Mikel Merino and skipper Martin Ødegaard remained on rest following the World Cup.
He entered the match at the break against Betis, filling in at right back, but was withdrawn just 11 minutes later with what has since been confirmed as the dreaded ACL injury.
"Words can't describe how I'm feeling right now, to making my preseason debut for the team I've grown up supporting to finding out I've ruptured my ACL," he wrote on social media.
"The road ahead won't be easy but I'll give everything to come back stronger and better."
Sustaining the injury at this point in the year means Copley could potentially be fit enough to feature in the latter part of the upcoming season, though no pressure should be placed on the youngster ahead of what promises to be a demanding and prolonged recovery process.
Arsenal's Right Back Woes Continue
Minutes in midfield were always going to be scarce for Copley this season—Bruno Guimarães's signing only adding to an already congested central area—but he appeared ready to make an impression at right back.
Arsenal are no strangers to injury problems at right back, with Jurriën Timber having missed significant time due to a groin complaint and Ben White enduring his own prolonged fitness struggles in recent seasons. It is White who has been leading the line this summer, with Copley handed the opportunity to cement himself as backup before his serious knee setback.
The Gunners' defensive concerns extend beyond right back. At the center of defense, William Saliba is set for an extended absence due to a back injury, prompting Cristhian Mosquera—another right back option—to be deployed alongside Gabriel in the heart of defense.
That defensive fragility has been on full display during preseason. Sunday's 3–2 defeat to Borussia Dortmund brought the total to six goals conceded across their last two matches, with most of those coming while Arsenal's stronger defensive options were on the field.
One notable absentee this summer has been goalkeeper David Raya, who is only now preparing to return to training following Spain's World Cup victory. Deputy keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has struggled to convince and may depart the club in the closing weeks of the transfer window after the free transfer signing of Illan Meslier.