Arsenal midfielder Gedion Zelalem has suffered a serious knee injury, according to Football.London.
The news website claims that the midfielder is estimated to miss between six to nine months of action, meaning it is likely he will be sidelined until 2018.
It is understood that Zelalem suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his knee while he was on international duty with the USA in the 2017 FIFA Under-20 World Cup which is being hosted in South Korea.
He was forced off 34 minutes into the opening fixture with Ecuador on Monday which ended 3-3.
It is no doubt a shattering blow for the 20-year-old, who progressed in his development while on loan with Eestre Divise champions VVV Venlo for the latter part of the season.
He made eight appearances for the Dutch outfit and scored one goal, which came in the 7-0 thrashing of Helmond Sport.
Zelalem, who has been on the books at Arsenal since 2013, has only made four first-team appearances for the Gunners and has played a key role in their Under-23 side in the past few seasons.
The German-born centre-midfielder has five caps for the USA Under-20 side.
His nation were drawn in Group F for the Under-20 World Cup alongside Ecuador, Saudi Arabia and Senegal, who are the States’ next opponent on Thursday.