Paris Saint-Germain right-back Serge Aurier has dealt the French champions a blow by ruling himself out of their upcoming matches against Saint-Etienne and Arsenal.

Aurier, 23, suffered a sprained ankle in the 3-1 defeat at Monaco just before the international break and left Stade Louis II on crutches, subsequently missing Ivory Coast's recent games.

Aurier says he is on the mend but will almost certainly miss the Champions League encounter with Arsenal next Tuesday, as well as this Friday's Ligue 1 clash with Saint-Etienne.

"No, I am still recovering," Aurier told Le Parisien when questioned about his availability for the two fixtures. "I have lots of steps to go through before I can return to the pitch, either for Friday or next Tuesday. I hope to be back in contention [for a starting role] as quickly as possible though."

PSG are not in the best of condition ahead of their opening Group A meeting with Arsenal and will likely be without a number of South American players against Saint-Etienne because of their travel exertions during the recent international break.

Thomas Meunier is set to deputise for Aurier at right-back and captain Thiago Silva will be making his first appearance of the season after recovering from injury, while Edinson Cavani, Marquinhos and Angel Di Maria are all expected to be rested.

Serge Aurier will miss Paris Saint-Germain's next two games. Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images

But despite the loss at Monaco last time out, Aurier believes that PSG are ready to get their Champions League campaign under way against the Gunners.

"We have the right to lose a match, even when our name is PSG," He said. "However, everyone is mentally ready for the challenge that Arsenal will pose us.

"First of all, we must win in the league [against Saint-Etienne]. Then, in the Champions League, we are in a favourable group [to advance], but top spot could be very important. Arsenal will also want to finish first. The battle begins now and everybody wants to bounce back [from the defeat at Monaco]."

PSG will be without David Luiz when they host Arsenal, with the defender having left the capital club to return to Chelsea last week.

Aurier admitted some sadness at the Brazil international's departure, but believes the squad have the depth to adapt without him.

"David Luiz was someone who brought a little bit of madness to the squad," he said. "His joy for life gave us a lot of things. We lost a really great defender but we will stick together.

"What is nice is that we have a lot of versatility. As I told the coach [Unai Emery], I am available to play in central defence if he needs me to. We need to have players willing to sacrifice their position for the good of the team and I am one of those players."