Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey will miss the remainder of the festive period after suffering thigh injury in West Ham win

The Gunners’ influential midfielder will definitely be unavailable for matches against Newcastle and Cardiff after suffering strain at West Ham

Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey goes down injured with a thigh strain in win at West Ham. (GETTY IMAGES)

Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey is set to miss the remainder of the festive period after limping off with a thigh strain in the 65th minute of his side’s 3-1 victory at West Ham on Boxing Day.

The extent of the injury is still unknown, but manager Arsene Wenger confirmed Ramsey would be unavailable for the matches at Newcastle on Sunday and at home to the his former club Cardiff on New Year’s Day.

“It looks like a thigh strain. I don't know how serious the thigh strain is but the Christmas period certainly is over for him. It was his birthday today.”

The Welshman’s form has been imperative to Arsenal’s impressive first half of the season, having contributed ten goals in all competitions, and he is currently second favourite for the PFA Player of the Year award behind Luis Suarez.

Ramsey’s injury overshadowed a strong late showing at the Boleyn Ground, where Arsenal came back from a goal down to win and return to the top of the Premier League table.

Trailing to Carlton Cole’s early second half strike, a brace from Theo Walcott - including a first headed goal – and a late effort from substitute Lukas Podolski secured a crucial victory for the Gunners to end a run of four games without a win.