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Hector Bellerin is to miss the start of the 2019/20 Premier League season as he continues his recovery from a knee injury, reports claim.

Bellerin, the Spain full-back, has been sidelined since January when he was stretchered off during Arsenal's 2-0 defeat of Chelsea with what was later discovered to be an ACL problem.

 Bellerin was struck down by injury during a January match against Chelsea
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Bellerin was struck down by injury during a January match against ChelseaCredit: GETTY IMAGES - GETTY

He had an operation on the ligaments in his left knee, with the initial prognosis claiming a recovery time of 'six to nine months'.

And the Standard say Bellerin is likely to be pushing the end of that time frame with the 24-year-old expected to miss several weeks of the upcoming domestic season.

The report adds that Arsenal hoped he would return during pre-season so he could play in the Gunners' opener against Newcastle, but that August 11 clash will come too soon for the Barcelona born defender.

Bellerin's lengthy recovery, and doubts over how he will adapt to suffering such a serious injury, has led to Unai Emery plotting a move for a new right-back this summer.

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Stephan Lichtsteiner is to depart the Emirates at the end of the month when his contract expires, and recent reports have discussed a potential Gunners swoop for Thomas Meunier, the Belgium and PSG defender.

However, the Ligue 1 champions have set an asking price of around £30million for the in-demand full-back, which could prove too much for Arsenal.

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