The Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta will be sidelined for around three months after ankle surgery, the club have announced. Arteta has not played since 26 November, when he damaged a calf in the 2-0 Champions League home win over Borussia Dortmund.
“Mikel has had surgery which went well,” said Arsène Wenger, the Arsenal manager. “I have just seen him, he is back with us at the training ground. He had a limited mobility in his ankle and some persistent inflammation that had an impact on his calf. That meant we had to make the decision to have surgery and it’s a proper solution which gives him the best chance to recover.”
The full-back Mathieu Debuchy is also out until mid-April with the shoulder injury suffered against Stoke City.
“Mathieu had a surgery on his right shoulder following the injury on Sunday,” said Wenger. “It’s very unfortunate for Mathieu, it’s unbelievable because he’s had two surgeries in the same season. He just came back [after three months out with an ankle problem], he played seven games and he’s out again. I count three months out for Mathieu because contact will be a problem for the shoulder.”
Meanwhile, Legia Warsaw’s teenage defensive midfielder Krystian Bielik is to undergo a medical at Arsenal, the Polish club said on Thursday. “I’m going to London to make my dream come true. I hope that soon I’ll became Arsenal’s player,” said Bielik.
Bielik, 17, signed for Legia from their arch rivals Lech Poznan last July. He has made six appearances in all competitions this season.