Arsenal injury news: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott ruled out for Swansea clash

Arsenal have been dealt a major injury blow after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott were ruled out of action for at least three weeks with hamstring and calf injuries respectively. The duo suffered injuries 20 minutes into the game against Sheffield Wednesday, which they eventually lost 3-0 to the Owls at Hillsborough.

Oxlade-Chamberlain started the League Cup game against Wednesday, but had to be replaced after just five minutes by Walcott, who was in turn replaced by Ismael Bennacer after 19 minutes, leaving the Gunners very light at the top against the Championship side. According to the Mirror, the duo are set to be sidelined for at least three weeks, which will see them miss three crucial clashes against Swansea City on Saturday (31 October), the Champions League trip to Bayern Munich and the north London Derby against Tottenham on 8 November.

Their absence will come as a big blow to Arsene Wenger, who is already without six first-team players. Danny Welbeck, Tomas Rosicky, Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta, Aaron Ramsey and David Ospina are all ruled out and the duo's latest knocks will make it eight senior players who are ruled out for the trip to south Wales.

The attacking duo are scheduled to return to action only after the upcoming international break, which will rule them out of England's friendlies against Spain and France in November. This will leave Olivier Giroud as the only striking option for the French manager. Joel Campbell is another forward option available for the manager, but the Costa Rican will be required to play on the right-wing due to the absence of Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ramsey, who regularly occupy the wide role ahead of Hector Bellerin on the right flank.