Arsenal's £42.5million record signing Mesut Ozil missed yesterday's with Newcastle United following a shoulder injury and could now be out of action for both the Premier League fixture against Cardiff and the North London derby against Tottenham in the FA Cup 3rd Round.

Ozil has been a key contributor for Arsenal in his debut season and will be missed at the Emirates in the upcoming weeks. Arsene Wenger will have to host relegation fighting Cardiff in the New Year without the German international, and will then most likely see his side go up against arch rivals Spurs in the FA Cup 3rd round, just three days after the Cardiff City game as a hectic festive fixture list finally concludes.                 

                     

Ozil has scored eight times in all competitions this season and also has nine assists to his name, quickly justifying a hefty club-record outlay to bring the potent playmaker to North London from Real Madrid. Having won just two of their last five league games Wenger will be hoping that his side can gain their third successive win in the league without Ozil, before they look to gather momentum and push on in the New Year in an effort to secure their first league title since their invincible season in 2003/04.