Debuchy out with ankle sprain

London - Arsenal could be without Mathieu Debuchy for a lengthy period after manager Arsene Wenger revealed he had suffered a "badly sprained ankle" during Saturday's 2-2 draw with Manchester City.

The 29-year-old France right-back's ankle buckled after he went up for a late header in the Premier League encounter and after being given oxygen on the pitch, he was taken off on a stretcher in the 81st minute.

"Debuchy has a badly sprained ankle," Wenger told his post-match press conference at the Emirates Stadium.

"For how long he will be out, we don't know. But it doesn't look too good. They need more time to assess it, but it's a bad sprain."

Debuchy, a close-season signing from Newcastle United, was already due to miss Arsenal's opening Champions League group game away to Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday due to suspension.