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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will be sidelined for up to two months due to a knee injury.
The England international midfielder was injured in the 2-0 Champions League defeat to Barcelona last week and Wenger had hoped to have his player back in action in a matter of weeks.
However, Oxlade-Chamberlain faces a lengthier spell out of action, although Wenger also told reporters that no surgery is required on the problem.
He said ahead of the Wednesday evening Premier League visit of Swansea City: "He will be out for six to eight weeks, but he won't need surgery. We feared he would when we saw the MRI scan, but in the end it is positive news."
Meanwhile, Wenger has called on his side to show a strong reaction to a 3-2 defeat at Manchester United last time out which put a sever dent in the Gunners' title hopes.
The Frenchman, who is expected to recall striker Olivier Giroud against the Swans, added: "We want to give our best until the end of the season. We are not dwelling on results and we are focused on the Swansea game.
"We want to transform negatives into positives to create more solidarity. We play to fight for the title.
Wenger may opt to drop Danny Welbeck to the bench, despite the England striker having scored twice in two games since his return from long-term injury.
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