• Champions League

Van Persie & Walcott absent for Barcelona showdown

ESPN staff
March 1, 2011
Robin van Persie sustained the knee injury in the Carling Cup final © Getty Images
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Arsenal striker Robin van Persie will be out for at least three weeks with a knee injury, meaning he will miss the Champions League last 16, second-leg clash against Barcelona at the Nou Camp.

The Netherlands striker sustained the problem when scoring a volley during Arsenal's 2-1 Carling Cup final defeat against Birmingham.

"Unfortunately, we had bad news on the scan and he will be out for the next three weeks for sure," Wenger told Arsenal's official website. "It could be longer. The shortest delay we can imagine is three weeks [so] he is definitely out for Barcelona."

Theo Walcott will also play no part in Spain, having already missed the Birmingham defeat with a sprained ankle picked up in the 1-0 win over Stoke last week. But there is some cause for optimism at Arsenal, who are defending a 2-1 advantage against Barcelona, as Cesc Fabregas has a chance of being fit.

"Cesc is looking possible [for that game]," Wenger said. "He is making quick and good progress. It is possible. [Walcott] is out. We said from the day he got the injury against Stoke you could count three weeks."

Ahead of Arsenal's FA Cup fifth-round replay with Leyton Orient, Wenger has been hit by a string of fresh injury concerns. "Alex Song has a knee problem as well," he said. "From his scan we had good news, it is only blood from a kick on the outside of his knee. He is out for Leyton Orient and has a very small chance for Saturday. But he has a good chance for Barcelona.

"[Laurent] Koscielny has a tight hamstring. There is a little bit of fatigue in there as well so we will give him a breather. [Manuel] Almunia needs games so he will play but Wojciech is alright and will be on the bench.

"[Abou] Diaby was not in the squad on Sunday. I was cautious with him. He has missed many games this season and I did not want to take a gamble with the intensity of a cup final. He will play on Wednesday night."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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