Arsenal's Gibbs sidelined for up to six weeks
Reuters - Friday 01 February 2013, 10:51
Arsenal left-back Kieran Gibbs will be sidelined for up to six weeks with a thigh
strain, manager Arsene Wenger said on Friday.
The 23-year-old England international picked up the injury during Wednesday's 2-2 draw with Liverpool in the Premier League.
"It will be four to six weeks [out]," Wenger told a news conference.
Wenger has extra cover for the position having signed Spain left back Nacho Monreal from Malaga on Thursday.
Arsenal, who host Stoke City on Saturday, are sixth in the Premier League, four points behind the Champions League places.
Brazilian
Andre Santos, who has struggled to impose himself in the Premier
League, is another option at left-back and may have to play in the
Champions League last-16 tie with Bayern Munich on February 19 and March 13.
Monreal
has already played in this season's Champions League for Malaga and
will therefore be ineligible but he could make his debut this weekend.
"He is available for the Stoke game. I have not made a decision yet," Wenger said.
"We
bought Monreal as a left-back but he can play as well as a left-sided
midfielder. We bought him as well because we believe he can integrate
into our style of play and adapt very quickly to that.
"He
has the characteristics to play our game because he is very mobile, has
a good left foot and is very good in combination play. That is vital in
our style of play."
Arsenal
head to Stoke boosted by the return of midfielder Mikel Arteta
following a calf strain. However, defender Thomas Vermaelen is doubtful
with an ankle injury and Francis Coquelin is close to a return but this
weekend could be too soon.
One
noticeable absence from Arsenal training was David Beckham, who had
this week been working on his fitness at the club while he was a free
agent after leaving Los Angeles Galaxy.
Wenger jokingly accepted credit for the former England captain's move to Paris Saint-Germain announced on Thursday.
"It
just goes to show you how efficient we are with our training sessions,"
he grinned. "He came here to practise once and straight away was bought
by Paris Saint-Germain."