Arsenal youngster Louie Copley has confirmed that he has suffered an ACL rupture during pre-season duty.
Copley was making his second senior outing for the Gunners on Wednesday as he featured in a 3-1 defeat to Spanish side Real Betis.
But just nine minutes into his substitute appearance, the 19-year-old suffered a horrible injury, receiving lengthy treatment.
He eventually hobbled off the pitch, with manager Mikel Arteta revealing he was concerned about Copley post-match.
Arteta said: “We’re quite worried for the kid because the mechanism doesn’t look very positive, the symptoms that he already has.
“So we’re going to have to wait and see for tomorrow’s scan. And yeah, touch wood that he’s not that bad.”
‘Words can’t describe how I’m feeling’
Unfortunately for Arteta and the Gunners though, Copley has revealed some devastating news in a heartbreaking statement.
On Friday, he posted on Instagram: “Words can’t describe how I’m feeling right now, to making my pre-season debut for the team I’ve grown up supporting to finding out I’ve ruptured my ACL.
“The road ahead won’t be easy but I’ll give everything to come back stronger and better.”
Plenty of the Arsenal squad have reacted to Copley’s emotional post, replying with their support for the teenage starlet.
Declan Rice replied with a love heart emoji, with Ben White, Max Dowman and Tommy Setford all doing the same.
Jurrien Timber also commented with a praying emoji.
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Devastating blow
Copley will have hoped to make a big step in his professional career this campaign, having been part of Arsenal’s pre-season.
He came off the bench against Girona for his maiden first-team appearance earlier in pre-season, playing 20 minutes.
And then he also featured against Betis, but after being brought on at half-time, his injury saw him taken off soon after.
Copley had appeared on the bench in the Champions League for Arsenal’ last season for a clash against ‘s 3-0 league phase victory over Club Brugge.
The academy product then spent the second half of the campaign on loan at Crawley Town, featuring nine times in League Two.
Sadly, he’s now expected to be sidelined for a large part of the upcoming season in what is a huge blow.