Wenger: Ramsey's hamstring recovery needs 3 more weeks

Arsenal will have to make do without midfielder Aaron Ramsey until after the international break.

Manager Arsene Wenger confirmed Friday the 25-year-old will miss matches against Chelsea, Basel, and Burnley because of a nagging hamstring injury.

Ramsey was expected to return to the fray by now, but he hasn't participated in full training.

"Aaron is still struggling with his hamstring and I don't think that he will be available against Basel or at Burnley so, before the break, he will not be available," Wenger said, according to David Hytner from the Guardian. "We had a few disappointments because he was close to joining again and, every time, he is not completely ready.

"He is not far, but we have to be cautious with him."

Ramsey is still feeling pain in his hamstring, the Frenchman added, although he's "in the last days of his rehab."

The Welshman picked up the injury in Arsenal's Premier League opener against Liverpool, lasting just 61 minutes before waving for a substitution.

Wales boss Chris Coleman was surprised to see Ramsey in action for Arsenal so early in the season, as he played a key role in his country's historic semi-final run at Euro 2016. Coleman wondered why Ramsey had even been on the team sheet after such a long summer campaign.

In all likelihood, he won't play for his country in upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Austria and Georgia. The hope is he'll make his comeback Oct. 15 at the Emirates against Swansea City.