Arsenal's Özil ruled out for 12 weeks

Mesut Özil looks set to miss the remainder of the UEFA Champions League group stage after suffering a ligament tear in his knee which will keep him out for up to 12 weeks.

The Gunners midfielder played all 90 minutes of the defeat to Chelsea FC on Sunday before joining up with the Germany squad, but complained of discomfort in his knee on Tuesday. Having been examined by the team doctor, an MRI scan in Munich revealed a partial lateral collateral ligament tear in his left knee.

The 25-year-old former Real Madrid CF playmaker has started both of Arsenal's Group D games so far, but seems certain to miss their remaining four, with Arsenal concluding on 9 December at Galatasaray AŞ.

Having scored once in five Premier League outings this term, Özil will also be absent for his country's UEFA EURO 2016 Group D matches against Poland, Republic of Ireland and Gibraltar.