Arsenal's Héctor Bellerín suffers ruptured cruciate ligament | OneFootball

Arsenal right-back Héctor Bellerín has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a ruptured cruciate knee ligament.

The Spaniard is likely to be sidelined for six to nine months with the injury, and may not even have recovered in time for the beginning of next season.

Bellerín was stretchered off in agony during the Gunners’ 2-0 win over Chelsea on Saturday evening and the possibility he may also have damaged the meniscus and other parts of the joint has not yet been ruled out.

The Chelsea game was the 23-year-old’s return to action after he was out for four weeks with a calf injury and he lasted until the 72nd minute at the Emirates Stadium.

Unai Emery must now plan for life without the club’s best right-back and the club may look to bring in a player on loan before the January transfer window closes next week.

If they can’t, Emery will have to work with just Stephan Lichsteiner and Ainsley Maitland-Niles in that position, although there is also the possibility he could call upon Carl Jenkinson if needs be.

Bellerín had been one of Arsenal’s most improved players this season and his injury is undoubtedly a huge blow to his side’s chances of finishing in the top four.