Aaron Ramsey will miss the rest of the season after sustaining fractures to the tibia and fibula in his right leg.
Gunners starlet facing long road back
Arsenal have confirmed Aaron Ramsey will miss the rest of the season after sustaining fractures to the tibia and fibula in his right leg in Saturday's win at Stoke.
The young midfielder was stretchered off at the Britannia Stadium after being on the receiving end of a tackle from Ryan Shawcross, which saw the Stoke defender red carded.
Play was held up for five minutes while Ramsey was tended to on the field and a number of players appeared visibly distressed.
Shawcross himself left the field in tears before receiving the bittersweet news he had made Fabio Capello's squad for England's friendly against Egypt in midweek.
Ramsey travelled straight to hospital and underwent an operation, which the club have described as being successful, on Saturday evening.
"During yesterday's match against Stoke City, Aaron Ramsey sustained fractures to the tibia and fibula in his right leg. Yesterday evening he underwent surgery," read an official club statement.
"The operation successfully reduced the fractures and whilst it is too soon to state an exact timescale for recovery, Aaron will certainly miss the remainder of this season.
"Our thoughts are with Aaron at this time and everyone at the club wishes him all the best in making as speedy a return to action as possible."
The injury was hauntingly reminiscent of that which left team-mate Eduardo fighting for his career almost two years ago, following a similar tackle involving Birmingham's Martin Taylor.
Ramsey is facing a period of intense rehabilitation but can take some heart from Eduardo's successful return to Arsenal's first team.
