Arsenal confirm Aaron Ramsey broke tibia and fibula against Stoke City

• Young midfielder out for rest of season and perhaps longer

• Operation on horrifically broken leg described as successful

Aaron Ramsey will miss the rest of the season after suffering fractures to the tibia and fibula of his right leg during his team's victory over Stoke City yesterday. The midfielder underwent surgery within hours of sustaining the injuries in a second-half tackle from Ryan Shawcross, the club confirmed today.

Shawcross, who will join Fabio Capello's England squad for Wednesday's friendly against Egypt, was shown a straight red card before Ramsey was carried off the pitch on a stretcher and taken to a local hospital, where his double break was set today.

"The operation successfully reduced the fractures and, whilst it is too soon to state an exact timescale for recovery, Aaron will certainly miss the remainder of this season," said a statement on Arsenal's website. "Our thoughts are with Aaron at this time and everyone at the club wishes him all the best in making as speedy a return to action as possible."

Ramsey has been recognised as one of the brightest young talents in British football since making his senior debut for Cardiff City as a 16-year-old in 2007. Though often used as a substitute he played an important role in getting Cardiff to that season's FA Cup final, where they were narrowly beaten by Portsmouth.

Arsène Wenger paid £5m to bring him to Arsenal in June 2008. Ramsey said one of the reasons he resisted offers from other suitors, including Manchester United, was that Arsenal are renowned for giving teenage players plenty of first-team action. He made his debut two months later in a Champions League qualifier against FC Twente and scored his first goal for the club in the same competition the following October, in a 5-2 win at Fenerbahce.

With his nimble feet, precise passing and natural invention he has continued to impress since then, becoming an important member of the Arsenal squad. He has started seven Premier League matches this season and Wenger said anger at his injury will spur his team-mates to challenge even harder for the title. "This gives us one more reason to be strong mentally and united and to fight until the end and to do it for Aaron. He deserves it."

The absence of Ramsey will be felt even more keenly by his country. Since making his senior international debut at 17 in November 2008 Ramsey has become a vital presence for Wales, orchestrating matters in midfield and scoring two goals in 11 appearances.

Shawcross's Stoke team-mates rallied to support the defender. Danny Pugh said: "I think it was a 50-50 tackle. Ryan has not gone in to hurt him. He is not a malicious kind of lad and does not go out to hurt anyone. I think Ryan has genuinely gone for the ball. It is just unfortunate that the lad has been hurt so badly."