Kieran Tierney is set to miss the rest of Arsenal's season after being told he requires knee surgery.
The Scotland full-back did not play in Arsenal's 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on Monday night after reporting pain in his knee at training on Thursday.
Tierney had been playing with discomfort in the area before he joined up for international duty, and subsequently played every minute of Scotland's friendlies against Poland and Austria.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta admitted on Monday the news about Tierney's fitness was "not positive", and Arsenal have now confirmed Tierney will have an operation.
It is not known if he will be fit for Scotland's World Cup play-off semi-final with Ukraine - likely to be played in June - as Steve Clarke's side aim to qualify for their first edition of the global tournament since 1998.
More immediately, the Gunners will lose a key player - another blow on the back of their loss to Palace on Monday Night Football.
A statement from Arsenal read: "A specialist consultation took place on Tuesday, and as a result of further discussions with Kieran and our medical team, it has been decided that Kieran requires surgery to his knee. This procedure will take place in London in the forthcoming days.
"Kieran's rehabilitation programme will start immediately after his surgery, at which stage a clearer understanding will be established on his recovery timescale. However, it is likely that Kieran will now miss the remainder of this season.
"Everyone at the club will now be supporting and working hard with Kieran to get him back on the pitch as soon as possible."
Gunners defender Nuno Tavares deputised for Tierney in the London derby, but the Portuguese defender was partly at fault for the Eagles' first two
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