Arsenal confirm midfielder injury blow ahead of Southampton clash

Arsenal have confirmed that midfielder Dani Ceballos won’t return to the playing field for the next three-and-a-half weeks following a hamstring problem sustained earlier in the month.

The Spain international picked up the injury during the European clash against Vitoria and he was hence ruled out for the Leicester game before the international break.

Initially, Emery suggested that Ceballos may return to action in a short space of time but it appears that the setback is significant enough to keep him out of action for a few more weeks.

“Left hamstring. Sustained during the Vitoria SC (a) match on November 6. Aiming to return to full training mid-December,” read a statement on the club’s official website.

With Ceballos sidelined, Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi may keep their places at the heart of the midfield but the return of Granit Xhaka can’t be ruled out.

Gunners boss Unai Emery has recently acknowledged that Xhaka wants to return to the first-team mix after missing the last four games for the club following an outburst with the supporters.

Other than the trio, Emery has the services of Joe Willock and Ainsley Maitland-Niles for the midfield role but the duo could be limited to appearances in the Cup competitions unless the Spaniard opts to rotate his squad with a view to the congested league schedule.

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