Nacho Monreal Injury: Updates on Arsenal Defender's Foot and Return

Updates from Friday, Jan. 17

Arsene Wenger expects Nacho Monreal to be fit for the weekend visit of Fulham.

Arsenal's official Twitter account noted:

"

TEAM NEWS: "Monreal and Rosicky will have a test in training today, we think that both of them will be alright" #AFCvFFC

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) January 17, 2014"

---End of Update---

Updates from Thursday, Jan. 16

Nacho Monreal is set to miss Arsenal's weekend Premier League clash with Fulham, according to Arsene Wenger.

Arsenal's official website provides the update:

"

Monreal looks a doubt for Saturday, a big doubt, because he twisted his foot on the kick. It is not the bruise, he turned and twisted the ligament. 

"

---End of Update---

Monreal's rare Premier League start was going swimmingly on Monday night, Jan. 13, but it came to an abrupt end when he suffered a foot injury and was forced from the pitch. 

The severity of the injury is currently unknown, but according to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, via the Telegraph's Henry Winter, the Gunners are going to check to see if the left-back has a broken metatarsal:

Monreal, who suffered the injury when he went down in the box following a legal tackle by Aston Villa's Ron Vlaar, was replaced by Kieran Gibbs in the 66th minute.     

It's a shame, too, because the 27-year-old Spaniard was having a terrific match in his fourth EPL start (and 13th overall appearance) of the season. 

He assisted Jack Wilshere on the first goal of the game, and as Squawka's Twitter feed pointed out, he was covering essentially the entire left side of the pitch:

Monreal is comfortable on the ball and clearly capable of moving forward in the attack. If this injury turns out to be serious, the Gunners, who continue to hold off Manchester City and Chelsea atop the table, may have to search the transfer window to find a backup for Gibbs.