• Champions League

Gallas and Arshavin out for at least three weeks

ESPN staff
April 1, 2010
William Gallas's presence was sorely missed against Barcelona © Getty Images
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William Gallas and Andrey Arshavin have both been ruled out for at least three weeks by the calf strains aggravated in Wednesday's 2-2 draw with Barcelona.

Arshavin was substituted midway through the first half of Arsenal's Champions League quarter-final first leg, while Gallas left on a stretcher just short of half time. News of their absences compounds the earlier loss of Cesc Fabregas for at least six weeks to a broken leg.

Arsene Wenger has also revealed that Gael Clichy and Denilson could miss the weekend's visit of Wolves to the Emirates Stadium.

"At the moment, we are like an army who have come back from a big battle," Wenger told Arsenal's official website. "We have some bruises but we need to recover and then go to the next battle. Who will be available for the next one? I have to wait 24 hours more.

"William had a recurrence of his calf strain. That is at least three weeks. The next one is Arshavin - calf strain, three weeks.

"Gael Clichy is struggling with a back problem. He might need a breather as well. I don't know yet, we will assess that tomorrow. Denilson has a groin problem, we will assess that too.

"The first three are out, Clichy and Denilson are 'possibles' to play at the weekend."

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