Arsene Wenger has revealed that Laurent Koscielny could be out for up to a further four weeks as he continues to struggle with tendinitis.
The Arsenal defender was diagnosed with the condition in both heels last month, but it had been hoped that a couple of weeks resting would cure the issue.
However, the manager told reporters: "You cannot think that he will be available in two weeks' time. Then you have to see how he responds. He will not be available for three or four weeks. Inflammation you can never predict. He could not go on so we had no choice.
"You miss him every time you concede a silly goal. But we have conceded some with him there too. Ideally we want him there but could we have stopped the goals without Koscielny? I say yes so I think it would be a little bit escaping the real responsibility."
Arsenal face Swansea City in the Premier League this weekend.