Football: Oezil may be out for up to six weeks, says Wenger

Arsenal's Mesut Oezil reacts after missing a penalty against Bayern Munich during their Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match at the Emirates Stadium in London on Feb 19, 2014. Oezil will be out for between three and six weeks, man
Arsenal's Mesut Oezil reacts after missing a penalty against Bayern Munich during their Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match at the Emirates Stadium in London on Feb 19, 2014. Oezil will be out for between three and six weeks, manager Arsene Wenger said on Friday. -- FILE PHOTO: REUTERS

LONDON (AFP) - Arsenal's German playmaker Mesut Oezil will be out for between three and six weeks, manager Arsene Wenger said on Friday.

The German, who is the club's £42 million (S$88.6 million) record signing from Real Madrid last summer, suffered a hamstring injury in his side's 1-1 draw at Bayern Munich on Tuesday, which saw Arsenal eliminated from the Champions League 3-1 on aggregate in the round of 16.

"We lose Oezil, who has been injured for Sunday, I don't know how long he will be out but it looks a minimum of three weeks," Wenger said ahead of this weekend's north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur.

"When the minimum is three, (then) the maximum is six. I am not specialist enough to know, it is a grade two hamstring (tear), so let's say four weeks."

Midfielder Aaron Ramsey's return from a thigh injury has been delayed, and England international Jack Wilshere is sidelined with a broken foot.

Sweden international Kim Kallstrom could finally be in contention for his debut after signing on loan from Spartak Moscow with a back injury in January while full-back Nacho Monreal is also available again.

Wenger added: "It is of course a blow, but I am confident we have the quality to deal without him (Oezil). We have many creative players who can take over to produce quality performances."

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