Arsenal's Ramsey expected out 3 weeks with hamstring worry

Arsenal supporters would be wise to become acquainted with the new-look midfield that slumped to a midweek scoreless draw with West Ham in light of Aaron Ramsey's expected three-week absence.

The Welshmen picked up the injury during the weekend draw with Southampton, but was forced to complete the 90 minutes because manager Arsene Wenger had made his three substitutions. Wenger confirmed Friday that Ramsey's injury will merit a spell on the treatment table, telling the club's website, "He will be out for a little longer and that will be maybe three weeks that he is not in contention."

A popular target of derision during Arsenal's repeated rocky stretches, the attack-minded Ramsey has been one of the club's outstanding players this season whilst forming a two-man midfield with the mercurial Granit Xhaka. Ramsey's six assists are tops on the team and joint-second in the Premier League, signalling the impact the 26-year-old has on the Gunners' attack.

Without Ramsey at London Stadium against a newly inspired Irons squad, Wenger scrapped his back-three formation for a three-man midfield, with Mesut Ozil and Jack Wilshere joining Xhaka in the set-up. With Newcastle set to visit the Emirates on the weekend, it's likely the manager will opt for a similar formation.

During Friday's presser, Wenger added that Theo Walcott will also miss the visit from the Magpies with a "little groin problem," and said centre-half Shkodran Mustafi has returned to first-team training and faces a race to fitness for the weekend.