Ramsey set for spell on sidelines

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says midfielder Aaron Ramsey is set to miss the rest of the festive period with a thigh injury.

The Wales international was withdrawn midway through the second half of Thursday’s 3-1 win at West Ham clutching the upper part of his left leg and was replaced by Lukas Podolski.

Germany international Podolski went on to score Arsenal’s third on Boxing Day after a Theo Walcott double cancelled out Carlton Cole’s shock opener.

The win kept Arsenal firmly in the title hunt, but came at a cost as they lost one of their better players this term.

Ramsey has been in sparkling form so far this season with eight Premier League goals to his name but after the game, Wenger confirmed they would be without his services for the immediate future at least.

“I don’t know how bad it is,” he said.

“But, for sure, the Christmas period he will be out.”

Arsenal travel to Newcastle United on Sunday before welcoming Cardiff City to the Emirates Stadium on New Years Day, three days before a London derby with Tottenham on January 4.