Waching daily Aug 4 2018

Sead Kolasinac's injury blow is bad news for Arsenal head coach Unai Emery, but good news

for Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

The 25-year-old limped off during the north London outfit's penalty shootout win over

rivals Chelsea on Wednesday night with a knee problem and after undergoing a scan - the

club confirmed the severity of the injury.

"Sead Kolasinac sustained an injury to his left knee.

Will be out for 8-10 weeks," a statement on Arsenal's website read.

Furthermore, Nacho Monreal is short of match practice after reporting for pre-season training

on Monday due to being with Spain at this summer's World Cup - despite not actually

playing a single minute in Russia.

With that said, there is another option for the Gunners head coach as he could quite easily

make light of Kolasinac's time on the sidelines with an internal solution.

Maitland-Niles filled in at left-back as well as left-wing back for a spell last season

when Arsene Wenger decided to drop the Bosnia international over fears about his lack of

pace.

Emery certainly has high hopes for the 20-year-old as chief executive Ivan Gazidis revealed he

spoke at length about the young midfielder during his interview for the job.

And Maitland-Niles - who will wear the No.15 shirt this season - admitted that hearing

those words while he was sitting at home were a real confidence boost.

"You don't really hear a lot of young players being shouted out by their managers,

especially a new manager who hasn't really seen them play too much," said the midfielder.

"I think it's brilliant to hear from him and it gives me a load of confidence.

"It feels fantastic knowing that I'm going to be a part of the squad, and a big part

of the squad.

It means a lot with the new head coach coming in and Arsenal tying me down [with a new contract].

I'm very pleased."