Mazeed Ogungbo in Arsenal training in wake of Kieran Tierney surgery

Arsenal will have to get through their last nine Premier League games of the season without two key players.

Earlier this week, Kieran Tierney underwent surgery for a knee injury and he’s unlikely to be back until next season.

On Friday, Mikel Arteta revealed at his pre-Brighton press conference that Thomas Partey has a “significant” thigh injury.

The Arsenal boss has some thinking to do in terms of how to replace both players.

“You go through ups and downs”

Arguably the bigger dilemma for him is at left-back.

Nuno Tavares could fill in for Tierney in a like-for-like swap there, but he has been taken off in his last two starts.

Against Crystal Palace, Arteta withdrew him at half-time, while against Nottingham Forest, he lasted just 35 minutes.

The Gunners boss publicly supported Tavares, saying he’s ready and willing, and urging him to embrace the challenge.

“This is the development of any young player,” Sky Sports quotes him as saying.

“You go through ups and downs and we’re here to help him to make his career better.

“He’s ready and he’s willing. He will be disappointed but that’s part of the job.”

Arteta could also opt for Cedric Soares, Granit Xhaka or Bukayo Saka at left-back.

However, these options would cause disruption elsewhere in the team.

Another option could come from the youth ranks – namely Mazeed Ogungbo, who was in training on Friday.

The 19-year-old is primarily a centre-back, but has also played at left-back and on the left wing.

Ogungbo has also featured regularly for the Under-23s this season and looks ready for a step up.

However, his lack of experience could count against him – he’s yet to debut for Arsenal and hasn’t been out on loan.

Nonetheless, Arteta clearly rates Ogungbo highly – he made the bench against Palace on Monday night.

There’s a good chance he’ll be in the squad against Brighton too.

Could Arteta throw him in at the deep end in the starting XI? Or could he potentially come on as a substitute?

Surely it won’t be long before Ogungbo makes his debut though – he’s an incredibly talented prospect.