Arshavin out of Arsenal opener

Arsenal FC will be without Andrei Arshavin for their first UEFA Champions League Group H match away to R. Standard de Liège on 16 September after the playmaker aggravated a groin injury during Russia's 3-1 win in Wales on Wednesday.

Two-week absence
The 28-year-old, who scored in his last two games for Arsenal against Celtic in the UEFA Champions League play-off round and Manchester United FC in the Premier League, is expected to be out for two weeks. Arshavin played the full 90 minutes in Cardiff, having been rested for Russia's 3-0 victory at home to Luxembourg on Saturday. "He will be out for Saturday, Wednesday and certainly as well for Wigan [on 19 September]," said manager Arsène Wenger, who is already without long-term injury victim Johan Djourou and the suspended Eduardo.