Injury problems mount for Arsenal

Arsenal FC are facing a mounting injury crisis ahead of their UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg against Manchester United FC with left-back Gaël Clichy certainly ruled out and several others doubtful for Tuesday's decider.

Late decision
Manager Arsène Wenger was hopeful Clichy might recover from his back injury in time for the match at Arsenal Stadium, but confirmed today that he would miss out and also said forward Robin van Persie was touch-and-go. "Robin van Persie is out for the weekend and we will only know very, very late if he could be available for Tuesday or not," Wenger said. "We may not know until Tuesday. Gaël Clichy is definitely out." Nineteen-year-old full-back Kieran Gibbs deputised for Clichy at Old Trafford as Arsenal lost 1-0.

Groin problems
In addition, striker Eduardo da Silva and former United defender Mikaël Silvestre will both be unavailable for the club's Premier League visit to Portsmouth FC with groin problems and will undergo tests to determine the extent of their injuries. "We have not scanned them yet [so we don't know about Tuesday] but they both miss Saturday for sure," said Wenger. Centre-back William Gallas and long-term absentee Tomáš Rosický have already been ruled out for the season.