Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted his relief despite Robin van Persie and Kieran Gibbs both picking up injuries during the international break.
Netherlands striker van Persie is facing six weeks on the sidelines after damaging ankle ligaments while playing against Italy last weekend.
Meanwhile, scans on a foot injury picked up by Gibbs while representing the England Under-21 side have revealed no significant damage to the left-back's metatarsal bones.
"We knew when Robin came out with this injury that he would be out for a long time," Wenger told Arsenal TV Online.
"But frankly I feared it would be more because the first news was very, very bad. So it was a relief that he would be out for six weeks.
"Of course it is a disappointment and something we did not want, but I feel we have enough strength to compensate for his absence for a while.
"It will also allow him to be fresh for when he comes back."
Speaking about the concern over Gibbs, he added:"Our medical staff called me saying he was in hospital in Lithuania with a suspected broken metatarsal. Later on, it was much better news.
"He will still be out for Sunderland (on Saturday), but maybe we could have him back for (the Champions League game against) Standard Liege on Tuesday."
Football News 24/7
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