Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil has been ruled out of action for a further seven weeks.

The Germany international, who has already missed the last five weeks due to a knee ligament injury which was discovered while away on international duty, was expected to return following the international break.

However, Ozil is quoted by BBC Sport as saying: "I've already been injured for five weeks and I'm going to be out for another seven.

"It's a long process. Injuries are part of football, but life goes on and you have to keep your spirits up."

The German Football Association initially revealed that the 25-year-old would be on the sidelines for three months, although Gunners boss Arsene Wenger dismissed these suggestions.

There is further bad news for Arsenal this afternoon, meanwhile, as midfielder Abou Diaby is rumoured to have torn his hamstring which will see him miss another three months of action.