Arsenal’s Lukas Podolski out for three months with hamstring tear

Jun 2, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Germany midfielder Lukas Podolski (10) dribbles the ball away from USA defender Omar Gonzalez (3) and midfielder Graham Zusi (19) during the first half at RFK Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Frederiksen-USA TODAY Sports

The spirits at Emirates Stadium might be at an all-time high with German sensation Mesut Özil headed to play for Arsenal after being acquired on Transfer Deadline Day, but the Gunners will now have to deal without one of their other star Germans for longer than expected.

Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski has revealed he is now expecting to be out for three months as a result of the hamstring tear he suffered in the second leg of the Champions League play-off with Fenerbahce.

Podolski, who scored twice in the 3-1 Premier League victory over Fulham on August 24 had to be stretchered off during the 2-0 win against Fenerbahce. A crushing blow considering Arsenal’s lack of depth behind their Starting XI.

He had initially been ruled out for a minimum of three weeks before the prognosis was revised to between eight and ten weeks. Following a medical in Munich, where the German international side has been preparing for World Cup qualifiers against Austria and Faroe Islands, it appears he is now likely to make his return to action for Arsenal in December. A long time away from the squad given the upcoming Champions League Group Stage and the extra matches that come along with it.

“I will be sidelined for a long time — approximately three months,” Podolski told German newspaper Bild Zeitung.

The move will also put a challenge on Podolski when it comes to reclaiming his starting spot on the wing when Germany heads to the 2014 World Cup this summer. Podolski had a challenging Euro 2012 for Germany and the country has a goldmine of young, developing midfield talent. With three months out of the picture, Podolski will now have even less of a chance at convincing his NT manager that he is still a better alternative to the young guns in Marco Reus and Mario Götze. Arsenal will be hoping that Podolski can have a speedy recovery and continue his early goalscoring form he showed prior to his injury.