Arsenal star Ainsley Maitland-Niles has been ruled out for six-to-eight weeks with a fractured leg.

The 20-year-old was forced off after just 35 minutes during Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester City following a clash with Kyle Walker.

A statement on the club’s official website from the medical staff states: “Ainsley has sustained a small fracture to his left fibula and will be out for six to eight weeks.”

Meanwhile, defender Carl Jenkinson is also expected to be out for a similar period of time with a ‘serious sprained ankle’, while Sead Kolasinac and Laurent Koscielny also remain sidelined until September and October respectively.

Maitland-Niles made his professional debut for Arsenal at just the age of 17 back in 2014, and has since featured 39 times in all competitions for the Gunners, including 28 times last term in what was a terrific breakthrough season for the youngster.

The versatile defender started at left-back for Arsenal’s Premier League opener at the weekend, however will now be replaced by either Stephan Lichtsteiner or Nacho Monreal against Chelsea on Saturday afternoon.

“Lichtsteiner can play at left back but his position in the team is more at right back,” said Arsenal boss Unai Emery when questioned who will fill the void left by the youngster’s injury.

“This week Nacho Monreal is working every day, training every day with us. The two options we have now are Nacho Monreal and Lichtsteiner to continue in this position.”