Mesut Ozil: Arsenal midfielder will not be back in action this year

Arsenal have been dealt a blow with the news that midfielder Mesut Ozil will be out of action for a further seven weeks due to a knee injury.

The Germany international was diagnosed with a partial ligament tear after Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat to Chelsea in the first week of October.

Arsenal had hoped to have the 25-year-old back in action for the busy festive period, but Ozil has revealed he will not be back until early in the new year.

“I have already been out for five weeks and will be out for another seven weeks,” Ozil said.

“That is a really long time but that is the way it is in football sometimes. My head is held high and we look forward.”

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is already without Olivier Giroud and Mathieu Debuchy due to long-term injuries, while the absence of central defender Laurent Koscielny with tendinitis has also been a big blow for the team.