Arsenal injury news: Mathieu Debuchy could be out for three months with dislocated shoulder

Just as Arsenal's injury woes were starting to ease, the Gunners have suffered a massive blow after defender Mathieu Debuchy was diagnosed with a dislocated shoulder.

According to the Mirror, the French international defender is set to see a specialist in the next 24 hours which will determine the time he will spend on the sidelines. The report claims that he could be out for three months as he could require surgery to repair the shoulder.

The north London club were finally getting over their injury troubles, which have plagued them throughout the first half of the season with the likes of Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey, Mikel Arteta and Theo Walcott all returning. But the Frenchman's injury will be a setback as Arsene Wenger is already aware that the team is short in the defensive department.

This setback to Debuchy, who only recently returned from a three-month absence due to an ankle injury, could force Wenger's hand in the transfer market and the manager did indicate that he will sign a defender following the win over Stoke City on Sunday.

Arsenal have been linked to various players in recent months, with West Ham United's Winston Reid being touted as possible January arrival.

It is believed that Debuchy will be out for a minimum of six weeks if the injury does not require surgery and three months if he has to go under the knife. It will be a big blow for the defender, who has already spent a long time in the treatment room in just his first season with the club.

Stoke City forward Marko Arnautovic has escaped punishment for the push that led to Debuchy's injury, as the FA have ruled that the referee saw the incident and did not merit any punishment for his action.