Arsenal have ruled midfielder Tomas Rosicky out of
action until March ''at the earliest'' after the Czech star
underwent surgery on the problem in Germany a month
ago.
The Czech Republic international has been out with a damaged
hamstring tendon since January and has made a slower than expected
recovery, after originally being told his injury would be cured in
''two weeks''.
He is due to report back to Arsenal later this month but manager
Arsene Wenger admits it will be some time before the 27-year-old
will be ready to play again.
Wenger told the club's official website: ''He's doing rehab at
the moment. ''He's back here on December 17 and then hopefully we
can start to work with him. But it's a long-term prospect - maybe
March at the earliest.''
The former Borussia Dortmund playmaker said at the start of the
year that he thinks that the busy nature of the Premier League
could be a reason for his numerous fitness problems.
"The [German] Bundesliga has a winter break whereas here in
England winter is the time when the games are played in quick
succession," he said. "In Germany the players can have a rest and
have a winter pre-season, which is a big advantage of course. That
is not the case here and the fitness sessions must be included
during season training, which is a big difference.''
Theo Walcott, Abou Diaby, Samir Nasri and Emmanuel Eboue have
all suffered from injuries recently, leaving the Gunners with a
lack of width, but the squad have been delivered more encouraging
news on their other long-term absentee, Eduardo.
The 25-year-old Croatian international, who has won 22 caps and
scored 13 goals for his adopted country, has been out of action
since the infamous tackle by Birmingham City defender Martin Taylor
on February 23.
"I believe we might see him for the first time in the Reserves
on December 16 against Portsmouth," revealed Wenger. "After that we
will just go from there but he looks very good and very sharp in
training."