Arsenal striker Nicklaus Bendtner is taking longer to recover from a groin injury than anticipated, it has been revealed.

The Danish forward had surgery on the problem in November, but despite hopes he would soon be back in first team action, he has now been ruled out until the new year.

Manager Arsene Wenger confirmed the news on the club's website, commenting: "It is quite disappointing because he looked quite sharp and he was short from coming back into the squad."

The news comes at a time when Arsenal have a number of injury problems, with Wenger also confirming that Tomas Rosiscky, Emmanuel Eboue and Abou Diaby are out of Sunday's game against Liverpool, although Eduardo and Theo Walcott are expected to be fit.

Liverpool's Fernando Torres is another player who has been suffering from a groin injury, although the Spaniard returned to action in midweek when he came off the bench in the Champions League game against Fiorentina.