Nacho Monreal will miss Arsenal’s next three Premier League games after suffering a setback in his return from a hamstring injury.
Arsenal’s first choice left-back has not played since the win at Fulham in early October but had been passed fit to feature against Wolves immediately before the international break. He was not named in the squad, however, and now it has been revealed he has suffered a setback and will not return to full training for another fortnight.
That means he will certainly miss Sunday’s trip to Bournemouth in the Premier League as well as next weekend’s north London derby with Tottenham and the trip to Manchester United on December 5.
Monreal’s continued absence will be a major blow to Unai Emery, who will now hope that Sead Kolasinac can recover his best form quickly having only just returned from a hamstring issue himself.
In a further injury blow, Konstantinos Mavropanos’ return has also been pushed back.
The impressive young centre-back has not played a single minute this season due to an ongoing groin injury but he was scheduled to return to full training in November.
That date has now been pushed back to December, however, raising fears that the defender may not be fully match fit before the turn of the year.
Stephan Lichtsteiner, who suffered a hamstring injury during the home game with Sporting CP in the Europa League before the international break, will be assessed ahead of Sunday’s trip to Bournemouth.
Laurent Koscielny is still not considered ready to return from his ruptured Achilles as Arsenal continue to integrate the club captain back into the first-team picture.
Arsenal will be away to Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday before a Europa League tie against FC Vorska on Thursday. The games will be followed by a North London derby against Spurs before visiting Old Trafford three days later.