Mathieu Debuchy facing three-month injury layoff

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed that defender Mathieu Debuchy faces a three-month spell on the sidelines through injury.

The French full-back, who only returned to action last month following another lengthy layoff, landed awkwardly during his side's 3-1 victory over Stoke City at the weekend before crashing into advertising hoardings around the outside of the pitch.

Debuchy has since been to see a specialist and undergone surgery to rectify the damage to his right shoulder, which is expected to keep him out until April.

"It's very unfortunate for Mathieu, and it's unbelievable because he's had two surgeries in the same season," Wenger told the club's official website. "He just came back, he played seven games and he's out again."

Arsenal were also hit by the news that Mikel Arteta faces a further three months out after undergoing surgery on an ankle problem which has already kept him out since last November.