Mikel Arteta Injury: Updates on Arsenal Star's Hamstring and Return

Mikel Arteta is fighting for full fitness after he developed a hamstring problem ahead of the latest international break.

Continue for updates.

Thursday, Nov. 20

Arteta Ready to Face Man United

Arsene Wenger has revealed Arteta is available for selection when Manchester United visit the Emirates on Saturday. He told the club's official website:

"

Giroud and Arteta are both available. It's just a question of how ready they are. But they are available.

"

Thursday, Nov. 6

Arteta Out of Swansea Match

Arsene Wenger has confirmed Mikel Arteta will miss Arsenal's trip to Swansea on Sunday due to a hamstring problem.

Arsenal's official website passed along the news:

"

Arteta will be out for Sunday. He has a mild hamstring strain and he will be out for a short period because it's a grade one. He should be back after the internationals.

"

Wednesday, Nov. 5

Arteta Hit by Hamstring Blow

Mikel Arteta suffered a hamstring injury during Arsenal's costly 3-3 Champions League draw with Anderlecht, a match that saw the Gunners throw away their 3-0 lead in the final half an hour.

Arsene Wenger confirmed the Spanish midfielder's problem after the match, and "admitted post-match that [Arteta] will miss Sunday's game against Swansea," per Ben Nagle of the Daily Mail.

Wenger was quoted as saying, "[It's a] hamstring - I don't know how long he will be out."

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

Arteta opened the scoring with a 25th-minute penalty, which he finely dinked beyond Silvio Proto in the Anderlecht goal. Arteta was later substituted shortly after Anthony Vanden Borre netted Anderlecht's first of the night.

Arsenal's skipper noted there is much room for improvement after the collapse:

Arteta now faces a race against time to be fit for a busy schedule. After the Swansea game, Wenger's side embarks on a difficult run with Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund and West Brom making up November's remaining fixtures.

Gunners supporters have grown used to seeing Arteta struggle with injury during important matches, a tendency highlighted by his recent absence from the loss to Chelsea.

He has played just 360 minutes of Premier League football this season, per WhoScored.com, and could find his spot under threat if Wenger decides to hunt in the January transfer window for the defensive midfield destroyer Arsenal so desperately need.