Arsenal fear Cole absence
Friday, April 2, 2004
Article summary
Arsenal FC full-back Ashley Cole will miss the quarter-final second leg against Chelsea FC due to a knee injury.
Article body
Hurt knee
Cole hurt his knee in the first leg at Stamford Bridge on 24 March and has not played since, missing England's friendly against Sweden on Wednesday. He will sit out tomorrow's FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United FC and is not expected to be fit to face Chelsea.
Clichy deputises
"Ashley Cole is out for Saturday and I think he will be short for Tuesday as well," said the Arsenal manager, Arsène Wenger. In his absence, French teenager Gaël Clichy will continue to deputise.
Cygan out
Cole will not be the only player absent for the Chelsea match. Defender Pascal Cygan faces up to four weeks out with an ankle problem while midfield player Gilberto, who misses tomorrow's FA Cup tie, may be doubtful depending on his condition following his return from Brazil's international against Paraguay on Wednesday.
