Arsenal lose Song for Barcelona clash

Arsenal suffered another injury blow on the eve of their Champions League quarter-final second leg match with holders Barcelona on Monday as Cameroon midfielder Alex Song was ruled out, according to the BBC.

The 22-year-old will be unable to take his place in the starting line-up as he has a groin injury, joining captain Cesc Fabregas, Russian playmaker Andrey Arshavin and veteran French defender William Gallas on the injured absentee list.

Barcelona — who go into the match after drawing 2-2 in London last week — too will be below strength with central defenders Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol suspended while Zlatan Ibrahimovic, scorer of both their goals in the first leg, is injured.

They also have doubts over Ivory Coast international midfielder Yaya Toure and Jeffren Suarez, who were both injured during the 4-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao on Saturday, and Andres Iniesta, who missed the first leg because of a left leg injury.

Arsenal veteran central defender Sol Campbell could be in line for a recall to partner Thomas Vermaelen, while Theo Walcott, who made an almost immediate impact as a substitute last week scoring their first goal, might be called upon to lead the attack for Arsene Wenger’s team.

“Theo has a chance to start the game but he can as well come on again and make a difference,” said Wenger. “If it is 0-0 with 20 minutes to go, we will need players who can make a difference.”