26 Feb 2011

Arsenal stars under injury clouds

12:26 pm on 26 February 2011

The Arsenal striker Theo Walcott is likely to miss European football's Champions League last 16 second leg against Barcelona because of his ankle injury.

The England winger was carried off during the 1-0 win over Stoke City on Thursday and is definitely out of the League Cup final against Birmingham City on Monday along with skipper Cesc Fabregas.

But while Fabregas has a good chance of being fit for the return at the Nou Camp on March the 8th, manager Arsene Wenger fears Walcott could also miss that game and the FA Cup replay against Leyton Orient next week.

Dutch striker Robin van Persie, who has missed the last two games through injury, will captain Arsenal on Monday in the absence of Fabregas.