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Arsenal confirm major injury blow after first team regular is ruled out for 3 months

By on September 29, 2021

Arsenal have confirmed a major injury blow with the news that Granit Xhaka has been ruled out for three months with a serious knee injury.

Xhaka returned to Arsenal’s starting eleven for the North London Derby on Sunday after missing our previous two Premier League games and the Carabao Cup win over AFC Wimbledon due to suspension following his red card against Manchester City in late August.

However, the Swiss international suffered a knee injury late in the second half during our 3-1 win over Tottenham after being involved in a collision with Lucas Moura inside his own half.

After receiving some treatment from the medical team on the pitch, Xhaka was eventually replaced by Albert Sambi Lokonga in the 82nd minute and Mikel Arteta admitted after the game the initial signs suggested the injury didn’t look good.

The midfielder has now undergone scans to determine the full extent of the injury and Arsenal have provided an official update on Arsenal.com to confirm Xhaka has suffered ‘significant’ damage to his medial knee ligament.

The 29-year-old doesn’t require surgery but Xhaka is still expected to be on the sidelines for around three months meaning he’s unlikely to play again until 2022.

The statement on Arsenal.com read:

Further to injuring his right knee during Sunday’s match against Tottenham Hotspur, assessments and scans have confirmed that Granit Xhaka suffered a significant injury to his medial knee ligament.

A specialist consultation took place in London on Tuesday evening which has determined that Granit does not require surgery.

Granit’s recovery and rehabilitation programme will start immediately and we are aiming for him to be back in action in approximately three months.

I’m not Xhaka’s biggest fan but this is still a huge blow for Arsenal. I thought we were already light in central midfield but to lose one of our regulars for at least three months is a significant loss.

Albert Sambi Lokonga could now be given an extended run in the team alongside Thomas Partey and I hope Arteta opts for the Belgian youngster ahead of Mo Elneny or Ainsley Maitland-Niles.