Ozil out for up to three months

Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil is likely to be out for 10 to 12 weeks with a knee injury, the German FA has confirmed.

Ozil played the full 90 minutes in Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat to Chelsea on Sunday but, having joined up with the German national squad, complained about a problem in his left knee and was sent for an MRI scan in Munich on Wednesday.

A statement on the DFB website read: “The MRI examination today at National Dr. Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt in Munich revealed a partial rupture of the outer band of the left knee joint.

“The treatment is conservative, with six weeks of immobilisation of the knee joint. Mesut Ozil is likely to be (out for) 10 to 12 weeks.”

Ozil managed to complete the full match at Stamford Bridge over the weekend but complained afterwards of tenderness in his knee. He will travel back to Arsenal for further assessment.

The news is another blow for Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, who has seen midfielders Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta pick up injuries in recent weeks.

Ramsey will be out of action for another three to four weeks with a hamstring complaint although Wenger was slightly more upbeat over Arteta, who could return after the international break following a calf problem.

Ozil joins fellow first team players Mathieu Debuchy and Olivier Giroud as a long-term injury concern this season.