Arsenal and England forward Danny Welbeck has been ruled out for nine months with a knee injury.
The 25-year-old has had surgery on "significant cartilage damage" in his right knee after damaging it during Sunday's 2-2 draw with Manchester City.
Welbeck did not appear to be too hampered after the initial challenge and tried to play on, but he soon had to be substituted and now the extent of the problem has been revealed.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger admitted after the match that he was "worried" for Welbeck's chances of playing for England at Euro 2016 this summer, and today's announcement confirms his absence and rules him out until next February.
"Everyone at Arsenal will be working hard with Danny throughout his recovery and look forward to seeing him back on the pitch as soon as possible," read an Arsenal statement.
Welbeck, who has scored five goals in 15 appearances this season, missed the same May-February period in the last year because of damage to his left knee.
The former Manchester United man appears to have joined Twitter today after learning of the length of his absence, sending the below tweet saying that he will "be back stronger".
I will be back stronger! 💪🏾 pic.twitter.com/ueLNSfHxZl
— Danny Welbeck (@DannyWelbeck) May 11, 2016
Pascal Lemesre
