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Arsenal injury setback: Striker ruled out of action until January
ARSENAL striker Chuba Akpom has reportedly been ruled out of action until at least next year.
Chuba Akpom ruled out of action until 2017
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger opted to keep Akpom at the club rather than loan him out this season due to the Gunners’ lack of options up front.
But the England Under-21 international has been limited to just one appearance this term after picking up a back injury last month.
Chuba Akpom started in Arsenal's 4-0 win over Nottingham Forest
He confirmed the news on his personal Instagram account: "Gutted to be out for a while with this back injury. I'll be back stronger."
Arsenal are yet to release a statement on when the 20-year-old will return, but The Independent claim he’s expected to be out until the new year with a suspected stress fracture in the back.
Despite signing striker Lucas Perez in the summer, Wenger has chosen to start winger Alexis Sanchez as his main centre-forward so far this term.
Arsenal have been without Olivier Giroud, who is close to returning from a toe injury, and Danny Welbeck, who is currently out with a long-term knee problem.
Akpom suggested he was close to returning a week ago, posting on Instagram: “Minor setbacks major comebacks, soon be back doing what I love.”
The Arsenal academy product, who scored just three goals in 36 Championship games on loan at Hull last season, has featured 10 times for the Gunners since making his debut as a 17-year-old in 2013.