Arsenal's injury woes don't appear to be getting any better after Arsene Wenger revealed Danny Welbeck will not be back in action until February .
The Gunners striker has been out since April and underwent knee surgery but has suffered setbacks in his recovery.
And he shows now signs of returning any time soon having suffered bone brusiing in his attempt to return to first team action.
"Unfortunately he was injured at the end of April and we are now at the end of December and he is still not available because of a bone bruising," Wenger said.
"That deteriorated and it is a big blow to us. Especially now we cannot rotate."
In pics: Welbeck's league goals for Arsenal
Welbeck has played 34 times for Arsenal since signing in the 2014 summer transfer window but has scored just four Premier League goal, all in 201s. His only goal for the Gunners in 2015 was the winner at Manchester United in the FA Cup fifth round.
Wenger's rotation frustrations stem from Arsenal's lengthy injury list, which currently stands at seven; the second highest in the Premier League .
Especially in attack where Wenger is also without Alexis Sanchez and has only just welcomed back Theo Walcott from a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Wenger did add, though, that Jack Wilshere is slightly ahead of his targetted return from his leg injury, and could be back in January.