Tomas Rosicky may not kick a ball in anger for Arsenal this season.

The Sunday Mirror says the Czech Republic star suffered a freakish hamstring injury during the FA Cup win over Newcastle in January. Despite scans which showed no major problem, he continued to suffer great discomfort.

Eventually he had surgery and it emerged he had a problem with his hamstring tendon. A metal screw was inserted but the 28-year-old then felt pain when he tried to sprint.

The bone around the hamstring area had become inflamed and he is now on a course of rest and rehabilitation.

The plan is to step up his training towards the start of December with the hope that he will be fit for the Christmas programme.

But if he breaks down again, Arsenal will opt not to give him further surgery and will allow Rosicky to recuperate - and that could rule him out for the rest of the campaign.