Arsenal have confirmed that defender Calum Chambers will be out of action for between six to nine months in a major blow to new head coach Mikel Arteta.
Chambers was taken off after just 23 minutes of the London derby against Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, and, as reported by football.london earlier in the week, Arsenal have now confirmed that the 24-year-old has suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.
The defender has undergone surgery and will now undergo a period of rehabilitation in order to return as soon as possible.
In an injury update on their official website, Arsenal confirmed the news. "Further to the injury sustained during the match against Chelsea on Sunday, we can confirm that Calum ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament of his left knee," it read.
"Calum has had successful surgery in London on Thursday morning. The rehabilitation process is expected to take between six to nine months.
"Everyone at the club will be supporting Calum to ensure he is back on the pitch as soon as possible."
Chambers has played 14 times in the Premier League so far this season, scoring in the 3-2 win against Aston Villa in September.
It is very unlikely that the defender will make a return before the end of the current season.
Arsenal also say that both Hector Bellerin and Gabriel Martinelli are being assessed ahead of the FA Cup clash with Championship side Leeds United at the weekend.
Full-back Kieran Tierney is also aiming to return to full training in March after suffering a dislocated shoulder.
