The Newcastle United midfielder is out of the club's Christmas schedule.
The France international suffered a strange hamstring injury, saying it didn't bother him, but the scan showed it was a lot worse than the player thought.
Despite returning and scoring against Fulham last week, he missed Saturday's defeat to Manchester City, and will be spending the Xmas holidays at home.
Alan Pardew revealed the club had decided to rest Ben Arfa for at least three weeks rather than risk losing him for longer.
Alan Pardew: "There is a danger he could tear that and if he did that he would be out for two or three months whereas if we do it the right way and be sensible about it, it may only be three weeks.
"And obviously that is the route we are going to take."