Mikel Arteta fears that Arsenal will be without Lucas Torreira for a considerable amount of time after the midfielder's injury was confirmed as a fractured ankle.
Torreira picked up the injury 16 minutes into the 2-0 win at Portsmouth after a heavy challenge from James Bolton in midfield. It was his first start under Arteta in six games.
He is set to see a specialist today (March 6) in London to find out the full extent of the injury Arteta said in his pre-match press conference ahead of West Ham.
Despite Torreira battling through the pain to remain positive, the Spaniard feels it will be a while before he can call upon the 24-year-old again.
"With the best one (scenario) I'm not optimistic like short term now in a week or two he will be available," the Arsenal boss said.
"Hopefully he can avoid any surgeries which is always very traumatic and hopefully we can have him before the end of the season, it would be much better."
Unfortunately, Arsenal have become accustomed to these types of injuries in recent years with Abou Diaby, Eduardo Da Silva and Aaron Ramsey suffering similar, yet more dangerous breaks.
With the severity of the situation apparent almost instantly, Torreira was stretchered off the Fratton Park turf and left the stadium in crutches.
Pompey manager Kenny Jackett defended Bolton after the confirmation that the Uruguayan had fractured his right ankle as a result of the challenge
It seemed like a good tackle at the time, it didn’t really seem it was a bad one," he said as reported by Portsmouth News . "James isn’t that type of lad anyway. Of course it was an accident and we do wish Torreira all the best and hope his recovery is quick.
"I have watched it back, in terms of our camera angle it looked a good and well-timed challenge that played the ball. I didn't see any real reaction from their players either, which we do watch.
"It is an unfortunate situation and you never want to see that. As the spare man at the back, James stepped across to the right-back position and timed it very well and read it.
"Nothing was meant and we do wish him a speedy recovery."
