Mikel Arteta could miss six weeks

Arsene Wenger has confirmed Mikel Arteta will miss
Arsenal's season opener against Aston Villa with a
thigh injury and could be out for up to six weeks.

Arteta, 31, was a key player for Arsenal last season,
making 43 appearances in all competitions for
Wenger's side. But the Spaniard, who signed for the Gunners from
Everton in 2011, is to miss the beginning of the
2013-14 Premier League campaign with a torn
quadricep. When asked whether Arteta’s injury is likely to keep
him out for up to six weeks, Wenger outlined his
concern. "It could be as long as that, but honestly, we don’t
know yet," said the Frenchman, who confirmed he
will also be without defenders Nacho Monreal and
Thomas Vermaelen for Saturday’s Premier League
opener against Aston Villa.
PLAY PREMIER FANTASYSign up for ESPN FC's free fantasy league game for the Premier League. Pick
your 15-man squad and take on your friends and
colleagues right now. Play
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on
Friday, Wenger said he was uncertain how long the
midfielder will be out for, while admitting his squad is increasingly threadbare. Arsenal have so far only signed French youngster
Yaya Sanogo from Auzerre, and on Friday it was
confirmed they have missed out on the signature of
Luiz Gustavo, who has joined Wolfsburg from
Bayern Munich.