Inter Milan striker Marko Arnautovic will miss several weeks worth of action with the thigh injury he picked up against Empoli.
This according to Italian news outlet Gazzetta.it.
There were few negative aspects to this afternoon for Inter.
The Nerazzurri made it five wins from five in Serie A, recording maximum points in a tricky away match.
But one thing that did mar the match towards the end was the sight of striker Arnautovic coming off with an injury.
The Austrian former West Ham United, Stoke City, and Bologna man had only come on during the second half. He replaced captain Lautaro Martinez just after the seventieth minute.
But Arnautovic was only on the pitch for under twenty minutes before suffering an injury.
The problem occurred when the 34-year-old seem to overextend his left leg a bit whilst challenging for the ball.
Arnautovic immediately showed a grimace of pain and began holding on to his left thigh. The striker immediately exited the pitch, where the Inter team doctor had a look at him.
Inter Striker Marko Arnautovic Out For Several Weeks
The big question now concerns when exactly Arnautovic will be able to return.
Right now, the severity of his thigh strain is not yet certain.
More tests over the next few days should reveal the recovery timeline for the Austrian.
But what does look clear is that it will not be a brief absence.
According to the Gazzetta, the initial feeling is that it will be a matter of weeks for the 34-year-old.
This is no small issue for Inter coach Simone Inzaghi. There are just four senior forwards in the team, with Arnautovic being one, and so the coach will have to rely on Lautaro Martinez, Alexis Sanchez, and Marcus Thuram with the fixtures piling up.
But on the other hand, the coach can always repurpose some other players.
And according to the Gazzetta, there is no chance of Inter dipping into the transfer market to make an emergency signing of a player available on a free transfer.
