ARSENE WENGER’S preparations for the new season suffered a blow last night when it emerged Samir Nasri will be ruled out for up to three months after suffering a fractured fibula during training yesterday. The incident occurred at Arsenal’s training camp in Austria and, in the wake of Emmanuel Adebayor’s move to Manchester City, will place Wenger under further pressure to bring in more new faces before the start of the season.

Nasri enjoyed a promising first season at Arsenal that yielded seven goals in all competitions, including a memorable double in a 2-1 victory over Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium in November. Injuries, however, restricted his contribution and he will now endure further frustration after it was confirmed that the 22-year-old, who joined Arsenal from Marseille for €15.6 million a year ago, is unlikely to be back in action until mid-October.

Wenger will take some consolation from the fact Tomas Rosicky has returned after missing the whole of last season – the Czech Republic international played his first game for the club in 18 months against Barnet at the weekend – but Nasri’s injury still represents a major setback.

Wenger was already in the market for a midfielder and his search is likely to intensify with the loss of another player from that department. His only signing so far is the Belgium international central defender Thomas Vermaelen, who has joined from Ajax for £11.5 million, but there are holes to fill in other areas, notably up front following the decision to accept City’s €29 million offer for Adebayor. Guardian Service