Arsenal lose Van Persie for Barcelona trip
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
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Arsène Wenger says that Robin van Persie is "definitely out" of the second leg at FC Barcelona next Tuesday after the forward was sidelined for at least three weeks with a knee injury.
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Robin van Persie will miss the away second leg of Arsenal FC's UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie against FC Barcelona with a knee injury according to manager Arsène Wenger.
The 27-year-old forward was hurt while equalising in Arsenal's 2-1 English League Cup final defeat by Birmingham City FC at Wembley on Sunday and Wenger told the club's website that Van Persie faces at least three weeks on the sidelines. Arsenal go to Camp Nou next Tuesday to defend a 2-1 lead, Dutch international Van Persie having equalised in the first leg.
"Unfortunately, we had bad news on the scan and he will be out for the next three weeks for sure," Wenger said. "It could be longer. The shortest delay we can imagine is three weeks [so] he is definitely out for Barcelona."
Wenger is already without goalkeeper Łukasz Fabiański due to a shoulder injury, while defender Thomas Vermaelen is yet to return from an Achilles problem and also doubtful for the Barcelona trip are Cesc Fàbregas, with a hamstring concern, and Theo Walcott who has an ankle sprain.
On the other hand, Wenger says there is a "good chance" Alex Song will be back from his knee injury by next week although the midfielder will play no part against Leyton Orient FC in Wednesday's FA Cup fifth-round replay.
