Arsenal injury list grows as midfielder Tomas Rosicky ruled out for another two months

Tomas Rosicky's absence from the Arsenal first team is set to slip into a fifth month after the player's agent confirmed the Czech Republic international's knee problem could see him miss another eight weeks of action.

Rosicky has not played since the goalless draw with Sunderland on 20 May, missing the final day win over West Bromwich Albion, the FA Cup final against Aston Villa, the whole of the Gunners' pre-season calendar and the opening day defeat to West Ham United.

Arsene Wenger said prior to the opening weekend that Rosicky was "on a progressive recovery", but his representative has confirmed the full extent of the damage, which could see the player miss another 10 games.

"[Rosicky] underwent an arthroscopic surgery on his knee on 4 August," Pavel Paska said, according to Sky Sports. "The recovery is expected to take four to eight weeks."

Should the agent's prognosis be accurate then Rosicky faces missing the next two months of the season and a healthy part of Arsenal's fixtures for the remainder of the year.

He will be unable to play in the Premier League matches against Crystal Palace, Liverpool, Newcastle United, Stoke City, Chelsea, Leicester City and Manchester United, the first two Champions League group matches and the League Cup third round.

Though Arsenal have a plethora of midfielders to make up for Rosicky's continued absence, the news comes as a huge blow to the 34 year old, who agreed an extension to his contract last term but has complained over the lack of opportunities afforded to him.

Speaking on featuring in just one of Arsenal's last ten games of last season, Rosicky said, according to Sky Sports: "It was a difficult time for me. It is never easy when you are not playing at all and you end the season in the stands.

"Is there a frustration? Of course there is a frustration because I think I can still help the team to be better. On the other side I have been here nine years and I have always said I love the club.

"I don't think I have to prove to anyone how I feel about Arsenal and how loyal I am to this club. Of course it is not going well for me at the moment. It is disappointing but I will not give up easy. I will fight."