Santos injury gives Wenger headache

ARSENAL look set to head into the hectic festive schedule with no recognised full-back after it was confirmed Andre Santos would be out of action for around three months with ankle ligament damage.

The club revealed yesterday the Brazil international — who had impressed in recent matches, following his August transfer deadline move from Fenerbache — was set to have surgery in his home country after suffering the injury in what was effectively a meaningless final Champions League group game away in Olympiacos last week.

Given Kieran Gibbs is not yet fully recovered from a hernia problem, while both right-backs Bacary Sagna and Carl Jenkinson are also sidelined, Gunners manager Arsene Wenger fielded four centre-halves along the backline against Everton.