Friday 29 December 2017 15:01, UK
Nacer Chadli could be out for up to two months with a thigh injury, leaving Alan Pardew to seek cover in the January transfer window.
The West Bromwich Albion midfielder suffered a recurrence of the injury he had earlier this year in the 3-1 defeat at Stoke before Christmas.
Pardew admits he may have to bring in signings in the transfer window to cover Chadli's absence.
"Nacer looks like his injury is as bad as it was originally," said Pardew, ahead of facing Arsenal on Sunday, live on Sky Sports Premier League.
"We think he's going to miss the first two months of the year, which is a big blow for us. I said after the Stoke game that it was a bigger blow than the result.
"That's something we'll have to deal with, something I'm going to have to look at in January because obviously it is a quality player going out of the group for some considerable time."
Salomon Rondon was forced off in the 0-0 draw with Everton on Boxing Day, but Pardew said the slight hamstring injury the striker has is "not serious", though the player is a doubt for West Brom's next two fixtures.
Pardew's side sit second bottom of the Premier League and have managed just 14 goals in the campaign so far, and the West Brom boss is looking to a direct approach to tackle an in-form Arsenal side.
"The front three is world class," said Pardew, referring to Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Alexandre Lacazette.
"You could take that to any national team in the World Cup and they'd be happy with that front three. That's the level we're up against."
Pardew added: "We need to find a way of putting the ball in the net.
"There's a number of things we can do as a coaching team with the players, increase finishing sessions - which is difficult because of the level of energy the players have - we can certainly concentrate on set plays, which we will do for this game."
Watch West Brom v Arsenal live on Sky Sports Premier League HD from 4pm on Sunday
