London: Arsenal's injury-hit defence took another blow on Monday when leftback Andre Santos was ruled out for three months with an ankle ligament injury.
Santos hurt his right ankle in last week's Champions League group-stage match against Olympiakos, with the Gunners having already qualified for the knockout stages, and will have surgery this week in his native Brazil to repair the damage. One of few first-team regulars selected, he was forced off early in the second half of a 3-1 defeat.
There initially been hopes that the injury was not too serious, with the former Fenerbahce man missing out on Saturday's 1-0 victory over Everton at the Emirates. However, Arsenal have since revealed that the 28-year-old will be sidelined until next year.
A statement on the club's website confirmed: "Following investigations and subsequent medical opinions by club specialists, Andre Santos will have surgery to repair ligament damage in his right ankle."
The injury means Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger could head into a busy period without any recognized fullbacks.
Arsenal are one game into a spell of six Premier League matches in 24 days and are already without leftback Kieran Gibbs because of a hernia. Rightbacks Carl Jenkinson and Bacary Sagna are also injured.
Santos told Daily Express: "I twisted my ankle in a silly move."
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