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Arsenal have suffered a massive blow when star midfielder Samir Nasri was ruled out for three months with a broken leg.
The 22-year-old Frenchman fractured his right fibula during this morning's training session at the club's pre-season training camp in Austria.
The club had only arrived in Austria yesterday and were being put through their paces by coaching staff ahead of tonight's match against SC Columbia.
Nasri, who joined from Marseille for £12.7million a year, has undergone X-rays and will fly back to London tomorrow to begin his rehabilitation.
The French international emerged as a key player in Arsenal's midfield last season, filling the void left by Alexander Hleb after he moved to Barcelona.
He made an immediate impact, scoring four minutes into his debut against West Brom and also struck in twice in the 2-1 win over Manchester United.
Nasri finished the season with seven goals from 41 appearances. Arsenal have been quiet so far in the transfer market this summer only signing Ajax defender Thomas Vermaelen. Manager Arsene Wenger is already scouring Europe for a replacement for Emmanuel Adebayor and now a midfield craftsman could also be added to his shopping list. As cover for Nasri, Wenger is likely to turn to Russian playmaker Andrey Arshavin and he will be desperate for Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky to return from a long-term knee injury.
Wenger this week admitted he feared Rosicky's career was over during his 18-month absence but he played the first half of Saturday's 2-2 draw at Barnet's Underhill ground.
Reader views (7)
hi there.football is my faverite sport and i watch england football.
- Saeede Sadeghi, iran, 18/03/2010 14:04
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Who do Arsenal train with - the SAS? Top players are forever injuring themselves in training. And I wouldn't get too complacent on a 'solid financial platform', not with the small matter of a stadium to pay for!
- Paul, London, 22/07/2009 12:03
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Everyone has injuries, Arsenal just have a small squad. Strengthen the bench if you want higher than 4th. Prayer will not help, it's not bad luck - it's a lack of money available to invest in the depth of the playing squad. I am sure other clubs would have spent more, but come the revolution and when the football bubble bursts, Arsenal will have a solid financial platform for stability.
- Jon, london,England, 22/07/2009 11:26
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Hmmmmm. These things tend to come in three's. Edouardo, now Nasri. Who is next?
- Captain Black Of The Mysterons, London, England, 21/07/2009 16:27
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The season has not even started and we are already without a relatively key player for a few months. When will we go through a season without serious injuries?
When that occurs we may get higher than fourth.
- Gooner In Spain, Pego, Spain, 21/07/2009 16:26
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Is this the start again of the injuries that plagued Arsenal last season? M ind you we have Rosicky back, who can cover for Nasri easily.
- Rob Gooner, North London, 21/07/2009 16:22
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Wow!! I think Arsene Wenger must have broken a mirror with a black cat while standing under a ladder. If it weren't for bad luck, Arsenal wouldn't have any luck at all.
Speedy recovery, Nasir.
- Speed Racer, Tokyo, Japan, 21/07/2009 15:05
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