Arsenal (4/9 for a Top 4 Finish) will be without Samir Nasri for the next month after the midfielder was told by medics that he needs a knee operation.
The Frenchman suffered the injury in Sunday’s opening Premier League game against Liverpool, in which Arsenal secured a point with a late equaliser.
After scans, it was revealed that Nasri had suffered a meniscal injury and minor surgery is required to resolve the issue.
A club statement read: “Samir Nasri will today undergo minor surgery on his knee following a meniscal injury sustained against Liverpool on Sunday. Nasri will be out of action for a month.”
It’s yet another injury setback for Arsene Wenger, who is already without three first-team midfielders with Alex Song, Denilson and Aaron Ramsey still sidelined.
There are also question marks over the fitness of skipper Cesc Fabregas, who was forced to sit out the 1-1 draw at Anfield due to a chest infection.
Nasri will now be forced to miss Saturday’s home clash with Blackpool (Arsenal 1/7, Draw 6/1, Blackpool 14/1 – Match Betting), as well as the away trip to Blackburn on August 28.
An international break in early September will come at a good time for the 23-year-old, who may target a return to the squad for the visit of Bolton to the Emirates on September 11.
Meanwhile, the Gunners’ opponents on Saturday, Blackpool, could had a debut to a new signing this weekend.
Israeli defender Dekel Keinan is the latest new addition at Bloomfield Road, after penning a one-year deal with the option to extend the deal by another 12 months.
The 25-year-old joins the Tangerines (9/4 To Stay Up) on a free transfer from Maccabi Haifa and becomes Blackpool’s seventh new signing this summer.
Keinan has already been granted a work permit and will go straight into Ian Holloway’s squad for the trip to north London.
The defender insisted: “I am looking forward to the first game and I’m very happy everything is done.
“I had different offers but after I met the gaffer I was sure that I wanted to play for Blackpool.”
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