Mikel Arteta injury fears grow

Mikel Arteta
© PA Photos
Arsenal's Mikel Arteta will miss the rest the season with a damaged ankle ligament.

The Spanish midfielder sustained the injury during Monday night's 2-1 defeat to Wigan Athletic at the Emirates Stadium.

Scans taken earlier this week revealed that Arteta's ankle was not broken, but the damage has now been confirmed as severe enough to rule him out of the Gunners' four remaining fixtures.

The news leaves manager Arsene Wenger with a midfield crisis going into this weekend's game against Chelsea.

Jack Wilshere is sidelined through injury, Abou Diaby remains unfit, and loanee Yossi Benayoun is ineligible to play against his parent club.

Following their clash with Chelsea, Arsenal have Premier League matches against Stoke City, Norwich City and West Bromwich Albion.
Tables
TeamPGDPTS
1Manchester United384389
2Manchester City383278
3Chelsea383675
4Arsenal383573
5Tottenham Hotspur382072
6Everton381563
7Liverpool382861
8West Bromwich Albion38-449
9Swansea City38-446
10West Ham United38-846
11Norwich City38-1744
12Fulham38-1043
13Stoke City38-1142
14Southampton38-1141
15Aston Villa38-2241
16Newcastle United38-2341
17Sunderland38-1339
RWigan Athletic38-2636
RReading38-3028
RQueens Park Rangers38-3025