• Premier League

Arshavin fears injury could end season

Soccernet staff
April 2, 2010
Andrey Arshavin was replaced less than half an hour in against Barcelona © Getty Images
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Russian forward Andrey Arshavin fears that a calf injury sustained against Barcelona will prevent him from representing Arsenal for the remainder of the season.

Arshavin hobbled off in the first half of a dramatic 2-2 draw with Barcelona on Wednesday night and Arsene Wenger stated on Thursday he expects the player to be sidelined for three weeks, along with William Gallas, who suffered a recurrence of his own calf problem.

But Arshavin is now concerned that he has torn his calf, meaning he could join Cesc Fabregas in missing the remainder of the season for the Gunners after the captain suffered a broken leg at Emirates Stadium.

Arshavin has also revealed he was given an injection to get him through the game against Barcelona and, although the 2-2 draw gave Arsenal a chance of reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League, the decision may well have had a damaging impact on their chances in the league.

"I was substituted on the 27th minute because I seemed to tear the calf muscle," Arshavin told Sport Express. "If the medical confirms the preliminary diagnosis, and that is very probable, that means I am out for a long time.

"At best I can be back in three weeks and in the worst scenario I can be sidelined for the remainder of the season.

"Gallas had a similar injury - firstly he spent three weeks of treatment in England and then continued in France. He has just recovered, appeared in the match against Barcelona only to come out of action in the first half.

"My mood is awful now. The team did not play the way we wanted and I got into a terrible fix. I picked up this injury even without any contact.

"Actually, I could have missed out on this match because of the other leg, more precisely because of groin pain. But I got a jab and managed to start the game."

Arshavin will certainly miss Tuesday's second leg at Camp Nou and the playmaker, who attracted interest from Barcelona following his outstanding performance at Euro 2008, believes a formidable task awaits Arsenal.

"I have not seen most of the match because I was inside with a packet of ice," Arshavin said. "But while I was on the pitch Barcelona could have scored several times. They showed fantastic football. They seem to do the same things we do but you cannot simply catch up with them.

"The result is good if we take into account that we were two goals behind but managed to tie at the end. My team-mates told me after the match that the draw is thanks to Walcott, who after coming on had a wonderful game.

"And now we have to score and win in Barcelona. I know that it would be very hard to play at Camp Nou. But in London it was also difficult."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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