Van Persie ruled out of United trip

Arsenal FC have received a major blow ahead of their UEFA Champions League semi-final against Premier League rivals Manchester United FC after striker Robin van Persie was ruled out of the first leg at Old Trafford on Wednesday with a groin injury.

Key player
Van Persie picked up the problem in the second half of Arsenal's FA Cup semi-final loss to Chelsea FC on Saturday, being replaced after 75 minutes at Wembley. The 25-year-old Dutch forward has been a key performer in the Gunners' run to the last four of Europe's premier club competition, scoring four goals in seven games this season, but manager Arsène Wenger confirmed that he "is definitely out for Sunday [against Middlesbrough FC] and for Manchester United".

Clichy out
Wenger also added that first-choice left-back Gaël Clichy would certainly miss the game at United because of a back injury. "Clichy could be back for the second Manchester United game," he added. "He has a scan on Monday. We'll go from there. He has a chance to be back in full training next week." However, there was some good news for the north London outfit after they welcomed back goalkeeper Manuel Almunia and defender Johan Djourou on Thursday, while leading scorer Emmanuel Adebayor "should come back into training on Saturday" according to Wenger.