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LONDON. — Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed that it is “possible” Santi Cazorla will be out until March with the knee injury he sustained against Norwich last weekend.

The Gunners chief said the Spain midfielder will see a specialist, but is likely set for a lengthy lay-off as the club’s injury crisis continues.

“Cazorla (is seeing a specialist) and is possibly out until March,” said the Frenchman in his pre-Sunderland Press conference yesterday.

He also admitted he is unsure when Alexis Sanchez will return, but had better news concerning Theo Walcott and Laurent Koscielny.

“Sanchez is a hamstring (injury) but I don’t know how long it will take.

“Walcott might be back and Koscielny could play.”

Cazorla’s injury means Arsenal will be missing two first choice midfielders until well into 2016 after Francis Coquelin was also ruled out three months with a knee ligament injury picked up against West Brom.

Wenger was quick to justify Sanchez’s inclusion against Norwich last weekend, despite saying he was keen to give the Chile star a rest.

“(Injuries) are a debate that I leave to specialists. We compare our injuries across Europe and I don’t think we have more injuries than anyone else.

“Sanchez had four weeks holiday, he was rested in some games. We had five days between Dinamo and Norwich.

“No one said he could displace his hamstring or back when he was shoved into the cameras (by Ryan Bennett).

“If you want to blame me with the injuries, I have no problem with it.”

Wenger says there are a number of factors that cause injuries in modern football.

“You could analyse many things: the pitches, the pace of the game, the intensity inside the game has gone up,” he said. “But there are as well mental components, physiological components in injuries, emotions in your private life that can have an impact on muscular injuries.

“It’s not as rational and mathematical as people think. You try to master all the scientific aspects but there are as well some irrational factors in injuries sometimes.

“For example, Cazorla and Coquelin are traumatic injuries. What can you do about that? Nothing.

“Ideally you want them all to be with you but we are prepared to deal with it. It is a big miss with players like that but it is a opportunity for players to come in and fill in and show they have the quality and that they are fresh and that can give a good impact to the team.”

Alexis suffered a hamstring injury at Norwich City last weekend but he was medically fit to play at Carrow Road.

“Alexis had four weeks holiday, he was rested in some games and had all the medical signs to say he was OK to play between Dinamo Zagreb and Norwich,” said Wenger.

“Nobody suggested that he could displace his back or his hamstring. When he was pushed into the boards on the side of the field that did not shock anybody.

‘‘That injury can come from that as well. I’m not expert enough to know but if you want to blame me I’m OK with it.

“I never force anyone to play. We are in a job where you need to give 100 per cent and to give 100 per cent you must feel absolutely confident and have confidence in your body.

“I don’t like to push players who are reluctant to play games.” — AFP.