Arsenal defender Gallas out for rest of season

France defender William Gallas is expected to miss the rest of the season with a calf injury, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said on Friday.

Gallas suffered a recurrence of the calf problem which had kept him out for six weeks during the first half of Wednesday’s 2-2 Champions League draw against Barcelona.

Wenger admitted the 32-year-old, who is out of contract at the end of the current campaign, is now likely to be sidelined for up to five weeks, meaning he would be unable to play for the Gunners again this term.

The former Chelsea centre-back, who was playing in his first match since February, should still be fit to feature for his country at the World Cup, but Wenger doesn’t expect him back for Arsenal before the end of the season.

“Gallas is longer than three weeks, I would say five weeks,” Wenger said. “It was a gamble which did not pay off and was a mistake, yes.

“He could be back maybe quicker, but I just give myself five weeks because three weeks is a minimum and we will have to be a bit more cautious with him.”

Wenger, who is already without captain Cesc Fabregas for the rest of the season after the Spain midfielder suffered a broken leg against Barca, expects Russian midfielder Andrey Arshavin, who also has a calf injury, to be available to face Manchester City on April 24.