Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber is set to undergo knee surgery in news that will arrive as a major blow to Mikel Arteta.
The Gunners have been dealt a crushing injury blow after summer signing Timber suffered a suspected anterior cruciate ligament injury in the opening weekend win over Nottingham Forest.
Mail Sport were first to reveal on Monday that the Holland international had suffered a serious knee injury amid concerns he would miss months of the season.
Those fears have been realised in the last 48 hours following further tests with a knee specialist.