Aaron Ramsey out for six weeks

Arsenal's title hopes have been hit by the news that star midfielder Aaron Ramsey will be sidelined by up to six weeks with a thigh injury.

The Wales international, 23, has been one of the stand-out performers in the Barclays Premier League this season and played a key part in helping the Gunners into a position to challenge for their first league crown since 2004.

Ramsey suffered the injury in training and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted he may now need to bring in a midfielder as cover in the last hours of the January window, with the club having been heavily linked with Schalke's Julian Draxler throughout the month.

Wenger said: “Aaron Ramsey will be out for four to six weeks. I count six weeks. We are still trying to bring one body in because of Ramsey’s setback and Flamini’s suspension.”