ARSENAL star Fabio Vieira will miss the rest of the year with injury.
The 23-year-old has suffered a groin strain and is set to undergo an operation.
Vieira has featured 13 times for the Gunners this season and scored one goal.
He has started just three matches and Mikel Arteta will again not be able to play him over the congested festive period.
Speaking before his side face Lens in the Champions League on Wednesday, the boss said: "Vieira's been having some discomfort.
"We sent him to see a specialist and the advice was to have an operation in his groin.
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"We don’t expect him back this side of the winter break."
Arsenal return to Premier League action after the pause is on January 20 against Crystal Palace.
This means Vieira will be sidelined for at least ten games.
He missed Arsenal's 1-0 win at Brentford on Saturday due to suspension after picking up a red card in their previous victory against Burnley.
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With the club short in midfield following injuries to Emile Smith Rowe and Thomas Partey, two youngsters are now training with the first-team.
And Myles Lewis-Skelly, 17, and Ethan Nwaneri, 16, have both impressed.
The duo have earned rave reviews from fans and coaches as they continue to pull the strings for Arsenal's Under-21s.
Nwaneri has one senior appearance to his name as he came off the bench for a brief cameo last September against Brentford.
Aged 15, it made him the youngest ever player to feature in a Premier League match.
Meanwhile, Ben White was also not spotted in training.
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