Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed that Granit Xhaka is "progressing well" in his recovery from a knee problem.
The Switzerland captain suffered a "significant" injury in the win over Tottenham Hotspur last month and is set to spend the next three months out of action while he recovers.
Xhaka is not expected to undergo surgery as he fights to be fit before the end of the year, and Arteta has praised the midfielder's attitude as he steps up his recovery.
Providing a team news update to the media, Arteta said: "Not any bad news. At the moment everybody seems to be OK. Granit is progressing really well but know it is a long-term injury and he's not going to be available.
"If you tell him three [months], he will be thinking two. He will be doing extra work to try and minimise that time. We need to do it in the right way because we want to have him back properly when we can."
With Xhaka sidelined, Thomas Partey and Albert Sambi Lokonga could once again form the midfield pairing in Monday's Premier League clash with Crystal Palace.
Mikel ArtetaClick here for more stories about Mikel Arteta
Click here for more stories about Arsenal