Arsenal Football Club News

• Nickname:Gunners
• Founded:1886
• Manager:Arsene Wenger

• Ground:Emirates
• Capacity:60,432

Wenger confirms double blow

24 Apr 2009 - 07:26:27

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Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Robin van Persie and Gael Clichy will miss the first leg of Arsenal's Champions League semi-final clash with Manchester United next week.

Top scorer van Persie is struggling to shake of a groin injury while left-back Clichy continues to be troubled by a back problem.

However, Wenger has revealed that goalkeeper Manuel Almunia, defender Johan Djourou and striker Emmanuel Adebayor could all face Middlesbrough in the Premier League on Sunday after overcoming injury problems of their own.

"We will rotate a little bit again, but we have no major injuries from Liverpool," he told Arsenal TV Online.

"Manuel Almunia was in full training on Thursday and we will see how he responds. Djourou was in full training also so we will see how he is too. Both could come back into the squad.

"Emmanuel Adebayor should come back into training on Saturday. He could be in the squad.

"But Robin van Persie is definitely out for Sunday and for Manchester United.

"Gael Clichy could be back for the second Manchester United game. He has a scan on Monday. We'll go from there. He has a chance to be back in full training next week."