Arsenal will be without Freddie Ljungberg over the Christmas period after the midfielder picked up a hamstring injury at the weekend.
Ljungberg had to be replaced by Theo Walcott just five minutes into The Gunners' game against Portsmouth on Saturday.
"He had a hamstring (injury)," manager Arsene Wenger confirmed on the club's official website. "He will miss the Christmas period."
The Swedish international will be forced to sit out the home game against Blackburn as well as trips to Watford and Sheffield United within a week.
Ljungberg had already been ruled out of Tuesday's Carling Cup quarter-final against Liverpool and he adds to Arsenal's injury concerns.
Captain Thierry Henry is also out until the New Year with a similar complaint, while William Gallas and Tomas Rosicky have been both been sidelined recently.