Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky could be out until December after undergoing a knee operation.
The 34-year-old’s agent, Pavel Paska, claimed yesterday that his absence would be between four and eight weeks following arthroscopic surgery earlier this month.
However, Standard Sport understands that the midfielder is facing a longer spell on the sidelines and may be missing for closer to three months. Rosicky suffered the problem while playing for the Czech Republic against Iceland on June 12 in a Euro 2016 qualifier. It was hoped he would not require surgery but Rosicky was unable to play any meaningful part in pre-season and so the decision was taken to operate.
Rosicky only signed a new one-year contract extension towards the end of last season after playing a limited role. He started just eight games in total, scoring three times.
Arsenal already have Jack Wilshere ruled out with a hairline fracture of his left ankle but given Rosicky’s peripheral place in the first-team squad, this latest setback will not force manager Arsene Wenger into the transfer market for cover. There is better news regarding Hector Bellerin, as the full-back is set to be available for Sunday’s trip to Crystal Palace after suffering a mild thigh strain which ruled him out of last weekend’s home defeat to West Ham.
Bellerin returned to full training this week and could replace Mathieu Debuchy at right-back while Danny Welbeck is believed to be progressing well as he recovers from a knee problem that forced him to miss the final six matches of last season. The 24-year-old is closing in on a return this month.
