Barcelona have confirmed that midfielder Arthur Melo will be ruled out for up to four weeks after suffering a hamstring injury.
The Brazil international has enjoyed an encouraging first season at Camp Nou following his arrival from Gremio, making 27 appearances and becoming a mainstay of the Blaugrana midfield.
Having been handed the No.8 shirt, the 22-year-old has been compared to Andres Iniesta, and alongside Ivan Rakitic and Sergio Busquets the trio have helped Ernesto Valverde's side build a six-point lead at the top of La Liga.
Arthur now, though, will be forced to watch on from the sidelines as Barca enter a critical stage of the season.
"Tests have confirmed that first-team player Arthur Melo has a muscular injury to the left femoral biceps," a club statement read.
"The approximate down time is between three and four weeks."
That means Arthur will certainly miss Sunday's trip to Athletic Club as well as upcoming Liga fixtures against Real Valladolid and Sevilla.
He will also be forced to sit out the first leg of Barca's Champions League last 16 tie against Lyon in France, though he should be fit to return by the time the second leg is played in Catalunya on March 13.
Perhaps most pertinently, though, he will almost definitely miss the second leg of Barca's Copa del Rey semi-final against Clasico rivals Real Madrid on February 27, with the tie neatly poised following a 1-1 draw at Camp Nou on Wednesday.
He also faces a race against time to be fit for Barca's Liga clash at Santiago Bernabeu four days later, with that game scheduled for three weeks' time.
A likelier return date is set to be over the weekend of March 10 when the defending Spanish champions host Rayo Vallecano.
Arthur's absence means there could be an opportunity for Philippe Coutinho to step into the team should Valverde believe he can provide from a deeper midfield role.
The former Liverpool man has struggled to establish himself in the starting 11 this term, and with Chelsea and Manchester United reportedly keen, he could be set to leave Camp Nou this summer.
Other potential replacements for Arthur could be Arturo Vidal or Sergi Roberto while January signing Kevin-Prince Boateng does have experience of playing in midfield, though he was largely brought in to provide cover up front for Luis Suarez.
Torreses
423
Time for Coutinho to drop to midfield and Dembele to go on LW.
Devansh10
360
This is the best chance for Coutinho to prove that he is a good midfielder
Pabbins
291
Umtti - Injured Dembele - Injured Messi - Injured Arthur - Injured S. Roberto - Injured 🤕 Not good for Barcelona 😡
Edoo87
255
when some one recover from injury we lose another one[Cry][Cry][Cry]
gadgets
194
Roma 2.0 coming if Valverde doesn't rotates his players efficiently.
Christopher_Robin
130
The team is falling apart Just before the El Classico. But we will stand strong. Get well soon Arthur. ForçaBarça
dakbdilotu
70
people are jus considering coutinho to take Arthur's place but they really dont know arthur effect when inside the squad,apart frm offering possession he also assist in defence i might left rakitic in squad bt not arthur get well soon barca n world top mildfielder
kshitizmishra10
65
This guy is prooving himself so so fast . He made Ballon do'r Winner Luka Modric to force him down 4 to 5 times . Arthur Managed Player like Modric to Foul him so much . Modric surely respect his Talent . And so do we . We are waiting for Our XAVI 2.0 in Champions League with more awesome games. And with his under pressure control of the ball he showed that he did not just Sign for Barcelona but he has that Blood in him making him Best Signing of this year for Fc Barcelona according to me.
shray_srivastava
45
It's a blessing in disguise for Coutinho, just when Dembele is for to bench him, Arthur makes way. If Coutinho really wants to play as a Midfielder, then, he has to grab this opportunity in a way that Valverde cannot think of moving him upfield, also the form of Malcom is key here., he can be the back up upfield. 🔵🔴