Arsenal will be without Jack Wilshere for both of their upcoming games against Saints, after the midfielder was ruled out for around three months following surgery on his left ankle.

The England international was substituted during the second half of Saturday's defeat to Manchester United after damaging ankle ligaments and was subsequently sent to a specialist to be assessed.

Wilshere has now gone under the knife and is likely to be out of action until February.

Saints visit Arsenal next Wednesday night in the Premier League, while they also host them on New Year's Day.

An Arsenal statement read: ''Jack Wilshere has had successful surgery on his left ankle and will be out for approximately three months.

''An assessment with a specialist confirmed the need for an operation and the 22-year-old had successful surgery to his ankle in London on Thursday afternoon.''