Arsenal dealt big Granit Xhaka blow with midfielder’s injury diagnosed
Arsenal have been handed a hammer blow with midfielder Granit Xhaka facing up to three months on the sidelines with a knee injury suffered during Sunday’s north London derby win over Tottenham.
The Switzerland international limped off on 80 minutes to be replaced by Albert Sambi Lokonga. But he could now miss the rest of 2021 after a specialist examined the injury.
Xhaka was accidentally caught by Lucas Moura. The Spurs forward had been challenged by Thomas Partey and was on the ground as the visitors hit their consolation goal.
“Further to injuring his right knee during Sunday’s match against Tottenham Hotspur, assessments and scans have confirmed that Granit Xhaka suffered a significant injury to his medial knee ligament,” an Arsenal statement read.
“A specialist consultation took place in London on Tuesday evening which has determined that Granit does not require surgery.
“Granit’s recovery and rehabilitation programme will start immediately. And we are aiming for him to be back in action in approximately three months.
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Support for Xhaka
“Everyone at the club will now be supporting and working hard with Granit to get him back on the pitch as soon as possible.”
The north London derby was Xhaka’s first game back following a three-match ban. He was sent off in the 5-0 thrashing at Manchester City last month.
Xhaka left the ground with his knee in a protective brace. And the diagnosis now means he will also miss the final two international breaks of the calendar year.
The 29-year-old had only recently recovered having tested positive for Covid during the recent international break.
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