Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil has confirmed that he will be out of the Gunners’ lineup for a further seven weeks due to a knee injury.

The 25-year-old was diagnosed with a partial tear in his knee following Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat to Chelsea during the first week of October. At the time, the German informed the Gunners staff that he heard a ‘crack’ in his left knee while passing the ball with the outside of his foot.

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

Arsenal had hoped to have the German international back in action for the busy holiday period, but it appears the North London club will be without the midfielder’s services until after the new year.

The Gunners have already been playing shorthanded due to injuries to striker Olivier Giroud; and defenders Mathieu Debuchy and Laurent Koscielny.

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