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Arsenal midfielder Gedion Zelalem is out for up to nine months.

The Gunners youngster ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee earlier this week while on international duty with the United States.

Zelalem was away with his national team at the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup in South Korea when he suffered the injury.

He started the first game of the tournament against Ecuador on Monday but was forced off after just 34 minutes of the 3-3 draw.

Arsenal have yet to confirm the injury but football.london has learnt Zalalem has torn the cruciate ligament in his knee and will be out long-term.

Initial estimates are he will be sidelined for between six to nine months.

The midfielder ended last season on loan at Dutch side VVV Venlo, helping them win the Eerste Divisie title.

He is contracted to Arsenal until 2018.