Soccer

Mesut Özil loss adds to Arsenal injury problems

German hamstring injury to keep him sidelined for around four weeks

Mesut Özil will be out for at least four weeks with a strained hamstring. Photograph: Darren Staples/Reuters
Mesut Özil will be out for at least four weeks with a strained hamstring. Photograph: Darren Staples/Reuters
Thu Mar 13 2014 - 22:47

Mesut Özil’s hamstring strain will keep him sidelined for at least four weeks, scans have revealed.

The Arsenal midfielder (25) was injured in the second minute of Tuesday’s Champions League exit at Bayern Munich but played on until half-time.

The club's €50 million record signing will miss Sunday's trip to Tottenham, as well as games against Chelsea, Swansea, Manchester City and Everton.

Doubtful
He is also doubtful for the FA Cup semi-final against Wigan on April 12th.

Arsenal then travel to Hull on April 19th, with fixtures against Newcastle, West Bromwich Albion and Norwich – plus the yet-to-be-rearranged visit of West Ham and a possible FA Cup final – to follow before the end of the season.

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Özil has scored six goals in 35 appearances since joining Arsenal from Real Madrid.

He had already played twice for the Spanish club this season before his move to London and has figured seven times for his country during the campaign.

In a further blow, given Jack Wilshere's absence with a broken foot, midfielder Aaron Ramsey's return from a thigh injury has been delayed.

Defer his comeback
Wenger added: "We have had to defer his comeback to full training so he is not available. He is having difficulties in the final stages of his rehab. It looks to be short term."

Midfielder Kim Kallstrom could make his debut against Tottenham after recovering from a back injury that has kept him out since arriving on loan from Spartak Moscow. Left backs Kieran Gibbs and Nacho Monreal could also return.