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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expects Reiss Nelson to be sidelined for the entirety of the festive period.
Nelson, 23, suffered a hamstring injury in Arsenal's 2-0 win over Juventus during the winter break.
It was another injury blow for Arsenal ahead of the return of the Premier League season this weekend.
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The Gunners were already without first-choice striker Gabriel Jesus, who is expected to be out for several months after undergoing surgery on a knee injury sustained while playing for Brazil at the World Cup in Qatar.
Speaking ahead of his side's Boxing Day clash with West Ham, Arsenal boss Arteta confirmed Nelson was set to miss the busy festive period.
"I'm talking about weeks," said Arteta, who recently described Nelson as a "special" player.
"Not a matter of days but he will be out for a few weeks.
"Let's see how he reacts to the next few days but he felt something straight away, and with sprinters that's not a good sign."
Major setback for Nelson
It is huge blow for Nelson, who is out of contract with Arsenal at the end of the season and will be desperate to prove his worth in the remaining months of his current deal.
His injury could intensify Arsenal's efforts to sign Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk and Leicester midfielder Youri Tielemans.
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Speaking earlier this week, Arteta insisted that the injury to Nelson wouldn't drastically change how the club approached the January transfer window.
"We know what we have to do and that hasn't changed the plans," he said.
After facing West Ham on Boxing Day, Arsenal travel to face Brighton on December 31.
The Premier League leaders will then take on third-place Newcastle at the Emirates on January 3 – their third game in just nine days.
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Topics: Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, Football, Premier League
Rory O'Callaghan