Luckless Kieran Tierney could miss Scotland's crunch Euro 2020 play off in March as he prepares to undergo shoulder surgery.
Arsenal have revealed the defender will go under the knife next week before facing three months on the sidelines.
Tierney dislocated his right shoulder during the Gunners' Monday win over West Ham, forcing him off after less than half an hour.
Speculation mounted through the week that the 22-year-old was set for another extended spell out.
And now Arsenal have confirmed the left-back will now miss a significant chunk of the season.
A statement said: "Kieran will undergo surgery next week and will rehabilitate for around three months."
Scotland face Israel at Hampden on March 26, where victory will secure a place in an all or nothing final against Norway or Serbia.
Tierney has not represented his country since scoring an own goal in a Nations League defeat to the Israelis 14 months ago.
He has made 11 appearances for Arsenal following a £25million summer move from Celtic.
During that summer, Tierney underwent another operation on a double hernia and has also battled a chronic pelvic problem.
