Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been ruled out until the end of April according to reports this morning.

The 22-year-old picked up knee ligament damage and Arsene Wenger had been hopeful that he would only be sidelined for a couple of weeks but, as the words fell from the boss’s mouth at his Friday morning press conference, we all knew the truth would be much worse – this is Arsenal after all.

The report in the Daily Mail claims that Arsenal are hopeful of having the Ox back for the final few games of the season and that his participation in the Euros (you know, the important stuff) is not at risk.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain receives medical treatment during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 1st leg football match between Arsenal and Barcelona at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 23, 2016. / AFP / JAVIER SORIANO
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain receives medical treatment during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 1st leg football match between Arsenal and Barcelona at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 23, 2016. / AFP / JAVIER SORIANO

The news comes after Alex saw a specialist on Friday who is confident that the player will return to feature for the Gunners before the end of the season and won’t be forced to miss his second successive major international tournament through injury.

The Ox picked up the injury when he collided with Javier Mascherano on Tuesday night and it was initially reported that he had suffered both knee and ankle ligament damage as he was seem, once again, leaving the Emirates on crutches.

Seems he’s not quite *that* unlucky, which is something I suppose.