Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney has been ruled out for three rounds with an ankle injury, the club has announced.
The Scotland international suffered the setback during Arsenal's defeat to Manchester City in their opening Premier League fixture on Sunday.
Tierney was forced off at half-time after appearing to twist his ankle and will now miss the next three games against Crystal Palace, West Ham United and Burnley.
The injury comes as a blow for Arsenal, who have struggled defensively this season.
Tierney is one of the key players in Arsenal's defence, regularly featuring at left-back or in central defense.
He has made 15 appearances for the Gunners so far this season, contributing to several important defensive performances.
Tierney's absence could be particularly costly given that Arsenal have already lost two key defenders through injury - Gabriel Jesus and Nicolas Pepe - and are currently struggling defensively overall.
The team will need to find ways to cope without Tierney's leadership and experience in the heart of their defense.
With the likes of Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Rob Holding also sidelined, it may be a difficult task for Arsenal to maintain their defensive solidity going forward.
Despite the setback, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta remains positive about his team's chances of recovery from the injuries and securing victories in the upcoming fixtures.
In conclusion, Tierney's ankle injury is a significant setback for Arsenal, but the team will need to adapt quickly and work together to secure victories in the coming matches.