Hobbling off clutching his leg on Tuesday night, the joy of seeing Arsenal go 2-0 up against Hull City was short-lived and replaced by fear that Aaron Ramsey could be out for a significant period.

The Gunners are already without Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere hasn’t played since pre-season, so seeing Ramsey go off was a worry. Reports on his injury have varied and predicted he could even miss the rest of the season, but Arsène Wenger isn’t so concerned.

“His clinical signs are quite positive,” the manager said on Friday afternoon. “I would say four weeks.”

HULL, ENGLAND - MARCH 08: Aaron Ramsey of Arsenal leaves the field during the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round Replay match between Hull City and Arsenal at KC Stadium on March 8, 2016 in Hull, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Ramsey came off against Hull City on Tuesday with a thigh problem. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

That’s big news for Arsenal and for Ramsey himself, who will be desperate to get fit and play for Wales at Euro 2016. However, the boss was more optimistic on Tuesday.

“It’s a bit worse than what I thought, normally when a player gets injured on a muscle he stops. I just thought it was a precaution,” he said of Ramsey’s blow. Clearly it’s much more serious than that.

Luckily Mohamed Elneny has impressed, but things will get much tougher for him now when he is required to start regularly. Nonetheless, there is little alternative and he is the player most likely to step into Ramsey’s role.

“Elneny looks like he is ready, yes.”

Let’s hope so.