Arsenal defender Holding ruled out long term

Defender Rob Holding begins a long spell on the sidelines ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Huddersfield.

The club say he will be out for somewhere between six and nine months after he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament. Midfielder Aaron Ramsey (ankle) is a doubt and Mesut Ozil (back) is unlikely to feature once again, but Granit Xhaka is available following suspension.

Defender Laurent Koscielny (Achilles) is nearing a return, with Thursday’s
Europa League tie with Qarabag most likely, while Nacho Monreal (hamstring),
Konstantinos Mavropanos (groin) and Danny Welbeck (ankle) remain sidelined.

Huddersfield will be without suspended pair Steve Mounie and Philip Billing.

Striker Mounie misses the second game of a three-match ban following his recent red card against Brighton and midfielder Billing sits out after reaching five yellow cards.

Midfielder Abdelhamid Sabiri will be sidelined for up to eight weeks after breaking a collarbone, but defender Chris Lowe could feature after recovering from a shoulder injury.