Arsenal’s medical team have confirmed that Henrikh Mkhitaryan has fractured a metatarsal in his right foot and will be sidelined for six weeks.
The Armenia international, who has four goals and three assists in 20 appearances this season, suffered the injury attempting a shot that was blocked by Lucas Moura in the first half of the Carabao Cup defeat to Sp*rs on Wednesday. He was replaced at half time.
Given the number of matches coming up, it’s terrible timing and puts further strain on a squad that has seven other players on the sidelines.
Nacho Monreal, who went off during the win over Burnley, has a tight hamstring and probably won’t be risked at Brighton on Boxing Day. He’s still being assessed so that’s not 100 per cent confirmed.
Unai Emery hinted that Shkodran Mustafi (hamstring) could be involved at the AMEX Stadium, however, the latest bulletin from the medical team has stopped short of declaring him fit. Instead, it says he’s due to return to training.
The German is joined on the sidelines by Hector Bellerin, who is likely to miss all of the festive fixtures with a calf problem.
Emile Smith Rowe, Dinos Mavropanos, Rob Holding and Danny Welbeck are the other casualties.