Published: 16 January, 2015

By GEOFFREY SAWYER

INJURY hit Arsenal must do without club captain Mikel Arteta for at least three months after the midfielder had surgery on his left ankle. The club said the procedure – the removal of a 'bony spur' – went well.

Manager Arsene Wenger said: "He is back with us at the training ground. He had a 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.”