Thursday Apr 10 2008 17:36
Arsenal's woes have intensified after it was confirmed that influential midfielder Mathieu Flamini will be sidelined for the next three weeks with an ankle injury.
The 24-year-old had to be substituted in the first half of Tuesday's Champions League defeat at Liverpool after sustaining the problem.
Brazilian Gilberto Silva is expected to replace the Frenchman for Sunday's crunch clash with Manchester United at Old trafford.
"It is a big blow but Gilberto has a lot of quality and experience," Wenger told the club's official website.
"Gilberto can come in and help the team recover and focus."
Meanwhile, teenage striker Gilles Sunu has signed professional terms with the Gunners.
The 17-year-old French starlet moved to the Emirates Stadium last summer from Chateauroux and has impressed in the club's reserve and youth teams this season.
"Gilles is a hard-working and very physical striker who showed exceptional talent when we scouted him," said Wenger. "He has been injured a little bit this season but we hope to see the best of him next year.
"We brought him last summer and we hope he can fulfil his potential here. We feel he is one for the future first team at Arsenal Football Club."
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