Mikel Arteta has had surgery to his left ankle and will be out of action for three months, meaning the midfielder may struggle to play again at his best level this season.

In another blow for Arsenal, it was confirmed defender Mathieu Debuchy will also be out for the next three months following an operation to repair the shoulder he dislocated in Sunday's win over Stoke City.

He, too, faces a battle to feature prominently before the final fixture against West Brom on May 24th. Both players have endured seasons marred by injury, with Arteta having not played since the end of November because of a calf problem.

Damaged

When he was forced off in the Champions League win over Borussia Dortmund on November 26th, it was the third time this season he had damaged the calf muscle.

Specialists have traced the discomfort to a bony spur in the ankle and the club captain has had it removed. Arteta is out of contract in the summer and, although he is believed to have agreed a one-year extension, there has been no official announcement as yet.

"Mikel has had surgery which went well," Arsene Wenger said. "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."

Problem

Debuchy has already endured one three-month lay-off after ankle ligament surgery in September. “It’s unbelievable that he’s had two surgeries in the same season,” Wenger said. “He just came back, he played seven games and he’s out again. I count three months out because contact will be a problem for the shoulder.”

Wenger will also be without Danny Welbeck for Sunday’s visit to Manchester City, while Kieran Gibbs is only due back in training today after achilles trouble.

– (Guardian Service)