Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Lucas is out for six to eight weeks with an ankle injury sustained against Reading midweek.

On Thursday, reports began to circulate that the forward, who has only just started to be integrated into the first team after we bought him from Deportivo in the summer, is out for around six weeks.

Unfortunately, the boss has now confirmed that this is the case.

Santi Cazorla, Nacho Monreal and Theo Walcott are also doubts, which is concerning. Although we knew the chances of Santi being out were high considering he’s missed the last couple of games, there was no news of the latter two until the presser.

The boss said Theo’s is a minor hamstring problem. The forward faces late tests ahead of Sunderland and if he’s not available this weekend, he will be on Tuesday (Ludogorets).

Meanwhile, Olivier Giroud will be available for selection following his half-an-hour appearance in the EFL Cup midweek and Aaron Ramsey should be in the squad after a lengthy stint on the sidelines.

The Welshman has been out with a hamstring injury that he picked up in the opening game of the season against Liverpool.