Arsenal defender suffers injury blow ahead of new season

Arsenal defender Sead Kolasinac has been ruled out for at least eight weeks after he picked up a knee injury in the friendly win over Chelsea.

The Bosnia international has been a regular feature under Unai Emery during pre-season but he has now sustained a damage to his left knee which should keep him sidelined between eight to ten weeks.

In Kolasinac's absence, Ainsley Maitland-Niles started at left-back during the recent friendly triumph over Lazio and the youngster should retain his position for the league opener with Nacho Monreal playing no part in pre-season.

Monreal was expected to play some role for the Gunners during the backend of their pre-season but unfortunately, he has been struggling with a minor knee problem which has restricted him from entering the field of play.

Arsenal entertain Manchester City in their first game of the new Premier League season on August 12. Thereafter, they have another testing challenge as they take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.