Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney is reportedly facing several months out of action as he prepares to undergo surgery on a knee injury.
The Scotland international returned to London Colney with the issue following the latest round of friendlies and did not take part against Crystal Palace in Monday's 3-0 defeat.
Mikel Arteta was not able to offer an optimistic update on Tierney's condition, with the defender understood to have seen a specialist on Monday in order to diagnose the severity of the issue.
According to The Athletic, Tierney's knee injury is as serious as first feared, and the 24-year-old will miss the remainder of Arsenal's season ahead of an operation.
The report adds that Tierney is also now a serious doubt for Scotland's World Cup 2022 Qualifying playoffs in June after the former Celtic man played the full 90 in both of March's friendlies with Poland and Austria.
Tierney has scored one goal and set up three more in 22 Premier League appearances for Arsenal this term, and Arsenal's only other recognised left-back, Nuno Tavares, was hauled off after just 45 minutes of a disappointing showing against Palace.
Ben Knapton
