Arsenal have confirmed full-back Hector Bellerin has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and will miss the remainder of the season.
Bellerin was stretchered off with 18 minutes of normal time remaining in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Chelsea, in which the Spaniard provided an assist.
Arsenal immediately feared the worst for the 23-year-old and scan results have showed he will likely miss the start of next season as the recovery period is anywhere between six and nine months.
Unai Emery was already without Danny Welbeck and Rob Holding for the season and news Bellerin will join the aforementioned duo on the sidelines for the foreseeable future is a huge blow to their season.
The Arsenal manager has already revealed there is no money to spend this month and it’s unlikely they will be able to find a replacement for Bellerin.
Arsenal are working on a loan deal for Barcelona midfielder Denis Suarez and also want to sign another winger before the end of the month, meaning Stephan Lichtsteiner and Ainsley Maitland-Niles will cover for Bellerin at right-back.
Only Jose Holebas (6) has provided more assists than Bellerin (5) of all defenders in the Premier League this season.
