Hector Bellerin 'gutted' after being ruled out for four weeks with ankle injury

Hector Bellerin said he is 'gutted' after being ruled out for four weeks with an ankle injury he sustained during Arsenal's 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur on 6 November.

Arsene Wenger confirmed the injury during his pre-match press conference ahead of the Gunners' visit to Old Trafford in Saturday and revealed that it occurred in the final 10 seconds of the north London derby following a challenge from Danny Rose. The Spain international is expected to miss up to eight games including clashes against Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Everton.

"Gutted to be out injured. Working hard already to come back stronger," Bellerin wrote via his official Instagram account alongside a picture of the defender working out.

Bellerin has been a constant in the Arsenal first-team since the 2014/15 season, and is easily one of the best right-backs in the Premier League. He made the PFA team last year, and had formed a strong partnership with Theo Walcott on Arsenal's right flank this season before the injury struck.

The 21-year-old Spaniard's impressive performances have also attracted interest from top clubs across Europe, mainly his former employers Barcelona, who are looking for a long-term replacement for Dani Alves, who joined Juventus this summer. Bellerin, however, has made it clear that he is happy in north London and is keen to remain at the Emirates for the foreseeable future.

Wenger and the club hierarchy have also reiterated their stance to retain him at the club by offering him a new deal despite his current contract running until the summer of 2019. The Frenchman confirmed ahead of the game against United that Arsenal were close to reaching an agreement with the defender.

"We are working on that and we are not far. It will be great. Let's say 'it is great' when it is done," Wenger said, as quoted by the London Evening Standard.