Arsenal have reportedly learned how long William Saliba's hamstring concern will sideline the influential French defender for.
The 23-year-old was a surprise absentee from the squad to face Aston Villa on Saturday evening, forcing Mikel Arteta to play Jurrien Timber at centre-back and Thomas Partey on the right-hand side.
Saliba's absence was heavily felt as Arteta's side threw away a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with the Lions, a result that left them six points behind Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table having played a game more.
Arteta had no good news to share on Saliba's condition after the game, simply stressing that he was "worried" about the centre-back, who would undergo further examinations early this week.
However, the former Saint-Etienne, Nice and Marseille man appears to have avoided a severe problem, as French outlet L'Equipe claims that he will only be sidelined for a fortnight.
Which Arsenal matches will Saliba miss?
© Imago
Saliba should therefore only miss a maximum of five matches for the Gunners, including the recent 2-2 stalemate with Aston Villa and Wednesday's penultimate Champions League league phase clash against Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday.
Arteta's men will also be forced to take on Wolverhampton Wanderers in Saturday's Premier League clash without the services of the centre-back, as well as next Wednesday's European showdown against Girona away from home.
The report adds that Saliba is also facing a race against time to be fit for the battle with Manchester City on February 2, but he should be fully recovered by the time the Gunners face Newcastle United in the second leg of their EFL Cup semi-final three days later.
Prior to Saturday's stalemate, Saliba had missed just one Premier League match for Arsenal this season, sitting out the 2-2 draw with Liverpool in late October due to suspension.
The France international has seven goals and two assists to show from 113 appearances in an Arsenal jersey, but there are fears that Real Madrid could try to prise him away from the Emirates.
Will Arsenal have any players back for Dinamo Zagreb tie?
© Imago
News of Saliba potentially missing a mammoth fixture against Man City is of course not good news, but the Frenchman seems to have escaped with the most mild grade of hamstring injury - a more severe issue could have rendered him unavailable for a few months.
That is exactly what Bukayo Saka is going through at the minute, as the England winger is not expected to return until late March or early April, and he is one of six players to welcome Saliba into the infirmary.
Right-backs Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are still on the mend from serious knee problems, but the former - who underwent surgery two months ago - could be back before the end of January.
Fledgling attacker Ethan Nwaneri is likely to spend another couple of weeks out with a muscular injury too, but Gabriel Jesus is out for the season with his devastating ACL problem.
The only Arsenal player who might have a slim chance of returning for the midweek game is Riccardo Calafiori, who has been struggling with a muscular issue of late, but Arteta has refused to disclose the severity of his concern.
Ben Knapton
