Arsenal teenager Louie Copley has confirmed he sustained a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during the club’s pre-season fixture against Real Betis in Dublin. The injury occurred at the Aviva Stadium, marking a significant setback for the youngster who had recently impressed during pre-season appearances, including a notable performance in the win over Girona.
Copley, who had been competing for minutes in the first-team squad, addressed the diagnosis 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,” he wrote. “The road ahead won’t be easy but I’ll give everything to come back stronger and better.”
The injury has drawn attention to broader squad developments at Arsenal, specifically regarding shirt numbers. Copley wore the No39 shirt during the friendlies against Girona and Real Betis, fueling speculation among supporters regarding the impending arrival of Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes. However, club sources and official documentation clarify that Copley’s registered squad number remains No38, which he wore during the previous Champions League campaign.
The No39 shirt, previously held by Harrison Dudziak until his release in June, remains vacant. Reports indicate that Bruno Guimaraes is expected to claim the No39 jersey upon the completion of his reported £75million transfer from Newcastle United. The club confirmed that Copley’s injury does not impact the ongoing transfer negotiations or the squad registration plans for the upcoming season.