Arsene Wenger: Henrikh Mkhitaryan Out for at Least 3 Games with Knee Injury

Henrikh Mkhitaryan will miss at least three more matches after suffering knee-ligament damage in Arsenal's 4-1 win over CSKA Moscow on Thursday, but he may still play again this season, according to manager Arsene Wenger.

Mkhitaryan was absent from the Gunners' 3-2 win over Southampton on Sunday after limping out of the UEFA Europa League clash, and he will be on the sidelines for another fortnight or more.

Per MailOnline's Jonathan Spencer, Wenger said: "He's got knee-ligament damage. He will not be available for Thursday [against CSKA] and not for Newcastle [United] and certainly not for the week after, I think we play West Ham. I think he will miss these games for sure, but he could still play at the end of the season."

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The Armenia international's exit from the first leg of Arsenal's Europa League quarter-final with CSKA in the 61st minute was not an encouraging sight, per James Benge of the Evening Standard:

Mkhitaryan arrived at the Emirates Stadium in January from Manchester United.

The 29-year-old is still searching for the consistency he displayed at the peak of his powers with Borussia Dortmund, but he has shown flashes of his quality at Arsenal. He has produced two goals and six assists for the Gunners, the same totals he achieved for United this season prior to his switch.

Football writer James McNicholas noted Mkhitaryan's improving form ahead of the recent international break, while ESPN FC's Mattias Karen remarked on his impressive chemistry with former Dortmund team-mate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang:

While their progression is not guaranteed, Arsenal should have the quarter-final wrapped up against CSKA, having won the first leg 4-1. In the Premier League, they have relatively little to play for, as they are 13 points behind fourth-place occupants Tottenham Hotspur with six matches remaining.

However, assuming the Gunners see out their tie with CSKA, they would have the first leg of their Europa League semi-final on April 26 and the second a week later, meaning Mkhitaryan is facing a battle to be fit in time.

The Europa League is Arsenal's only hope of salvaging a disappointing campaign, and having their best players available would give them a much stronger chance of winning it.