Debuchy suffers 'severe' hamstring injury

Arsenal defender Mathieu Debuchy has been ruled out for six weeks with a 'severe' hamstring injury.

Debuchy made his first Gunners appearance since November 2015 in the 3-1 win over Bournemouth last week, but he was forced off after sustained a hamstring injury.

The problem is a serious one and will keep the 31-year-old sidelined until the New Year.

"It’s a severe hamstring injury, yes. Six weeks, I think," manager Arsene Wenger confirmed.

"It’s frustrating for me but even more for him, he’s a guy who fights hard, he has an exceptional attitude.

"He’s absolutely disappointed, but he’s a fighter, he will fight to come back."

While Cazorla is expected to return in six weeks, midfielder Santi Cazorla is facing three months on the sidelines because of an ankle injury.

Cazorla will undergo surgery next week and the manager admits the loss of the Spain international is a big blow to the club.

"For me it is very bad news. I try to put everything into place to avoid surgery. It creates anxiety, rehabilitation and if you can avoid it you do. In this case we have come to the conclusion (of surgery), and now they tell me he will be out for two months at least, but two months can sometimes be three," Wenger explained.

"Santi is desperate to play football, he is only interested in playing football and just wants to cure it.

"He has inflammation in the back of his foot, which no-one knows where it is coming from. The anti-inflammatory injections have not got rid of it. The specialist we discussed it with said he had to open it up."

When asked whether he would be looking to sign another midfielder during the January transfer window, Wenger added: "In midfield we have many players, in January you will not necessarily find a Cazorla. I believe on the injury front we have been very strong and not had many injuries this season, very few muscle injuries."

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