Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is confident Granit Xhaka will return from his knee injury stronger.

The Swiss international midfielder has been ruled out for the next three months after sustaining the blow against Tottenham, and the manager extended his sympathy to him.

"Obviously, it's really bad news personally for Granit," Arteta said. "He's had a couple of incidents already this season with Covid, with suspension and now with long-term injury.

"It's obviously a significant injury but he probably escaped an even worse injury than he could have had from the action because that action for the cruciate ligament is a tricky one. It's what it is. His mentality is top. He knows what he needs to do now.

"He's a strong man and he will use this time to focus on other things and I'm sure he will be back in the right place when he's back. Obviously, he's a big player for us, someone who is really important, and he will be missed. Other players have to step in.

"He will evolve and develop in other areas. This is the first big injury he has had, we are here to help him and I am sure we will find other ways around the team because we have other really good players who will step in and do the job."