Calum Chambers is set to miss up to nine months of action after the Arsenal defender underwent surgery on Thursday, with Mikel Arteta admitting that the injury may alter his transfer plans in January.
The Gunners have confirmed that former Southampton defender Chambers ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during Sunday's London derby defeat to Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium.
"We can confirm that Calum ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament of his left knee. Calum has had successful surgery in London on Thursday morning," a club statement read.
"The rehabilitation process is expected to take between six to nine months. Everyone at the club will be supporting Calum to ensure he is back on the pitch as soon as possible."
Chambers joins Kieran Tierney and Hector Bellerin on the sidelines and his absence raises the likelihood of another centre-back arriving during the January transfer window, although Arteta hinted that just like this time last year, limited finances will make doing business difficult.
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“Obviously we had a bad injury with Calum a few days ago that is going to change our plans at the back,” said the Spaniard. “We are going to try and be in the market to see options that can strengthen the team. That’s for sure and that’s our obligation and we’re going to be working on that.
“My obligation is to give my opinion on the things that we can improve. But the reality at the moment is we are not going to be able to do much.
“I am more concerned to get people back from injures than the signings and to try and improve the players that I have here. If something extra comes up and we think it’s the right opportunity to improve what we have, let’s do it.”
Arsenal have a long standing interest in RB Leipzig centre-back Dayot Upamecano and held talks over a possible deal for the 21-year-old in the summer.
The France Under-21 international has just 18 months left on his deal in Germany and there have been suggestions Leipzig could be open to letting him leave this month.
He is still valued at around £45 million ($59m), however, which would make any move to north London unlikely.