Robin van Persie will definitely miss Arsenal’s Champions League return with Barcelona after being ruled out for up to three weeks.
The Dutch striker picked up a knee injury as his side were beaten 2-1 in Sunday’s Carling Cup final against Birmingham City. He, in fact, sustained the knock when scoring Arsenal’s first half goal, but played on until the 68th minute, when his substitution left Gunners fans worrying for his availability for the game in Camp Nou next Tuesday (which Arsenal head into with a 2-1 lead).
Those fears have now been confirmed after van Persie underwent a scan, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger confirming the bad news on the club's website on Tuesday afternoon.
“Unfortunately, we had bad news on the scan,” lamented the Frenchman. “He will be out for the next three weeks for sure.
“It could be longer. The shortest delay we can imagine is three weeks (so) he is definitely out for Barcelona.”
Van Persie will also miss Wednesday’s FA Cup fifth round replay against Leyton Orient, and the sixth round clash with Manchester United should his side overcome the League One side. A league fixture at home to Sunderland on Saturday must also be negotiated in his absence.
Meanwhile, midfielder Alex Song and defender Laurent Koscielny will also miss the visit of Orient with knee and hamstring problems respectively. Abou Diaby will come into the team, while Manuel Almunia will displace Wojciech Szczesny in goal.
Wenger added: “Alex Song has a knee problem as well. 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.
“Koscielny has a tight hamstring. There is a little bit of fatigue in there as well so we will give him a breather.
“Almunia needs games so he will play but Wojciech is alright and will be on the bench.
“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.”