Arteta, Debuchy face Arsenal absences

Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Debuchy will both sit out Arsenal FC's UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie with AS Monaco FC after each was sidelined for three months.

Spanish midfielder Arteta, 32, has been missing since November with inflammation in his left ankle and this month's operation has removed a bony spur. A club statement said: "The procedure went well and Mikel will now begin a period of rehabilitation which is expected to last approximately three months."

Manager Arsène Wenger told Arsenal.com: "Mikel has had surgery which went well. I've just seen him, he's back with us at the training ground. He had limited mobility in his ankle and some persistent inflammation that had an impact on his calf. That meant we had to make the decision to have surgery and it's a proper solution which gives him the best chance to recover."

Mathieu Debuchy receives treatment to his shoulder©Getty Images

Wenger added that France defender Debuchy will also be out until April after surgery on his injured right shoulder. The 29-year-old right-back suffered a dislocation in the weekend Premier League fixture against Stoke City FC.

"It's unbelievable because he's had two operations in the same season," Wenger said. "He just came back, he played seven games and he's out again. I count three months out for Mathieu because contact will be a problem for the shoulder."

The manager also revealed that following a thigh injury "Danny Welbeck is not ready yet, he is still feeling some pain, so we will have to be patient". Arsenal take on Monaco on 25 February and 17 March.