Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Johan Djourou will be sidelined for nearly a month.

The Swiss defender went into half-time holding his groin in pain and was replaced by youngster Ignasi Miquel as Arsenal’s backline reshuffled during the 1-0 defeat to Manchester City.

Djourou was already deputizing for the injured Bacary Sagna who will not be back until February at most.

Laurent Koscielny went on to fill the gap at right-back and it now looks as though the French defender will be doing so for three more weeks at least, after Djourou was ruled out today.

“It is a groin problem. Usually that is 21 days (for a recovery).” Wenger said.

“I must say we have four full backs out and the first injury we get in the game is a full back. It’s not only down to resources, you cannot buy 17 full backs anyway. That is why I think we were a bit unlucky today.” he added

Arsenal’s squad is growing thinner as January approaches with injuries in the defensive department to Andre Santos and now Johan Djourou adding to the need for cover in attack for Robin van Persie.

But despite admitting his woes, Wenger remains coy over any moves in next month’s transfer window.

“We hope to have Wilshere and Diaby back so in midfield we have the numbers required. But at the moment we are short at the back and if Gervinho and Chamakh go to the Africa Cup of Nations we are short up front more than midfield” the Frenchman said.