Gibbs to miss three weeks

Arsenal left-back Kieran Gibbs is expected to be on the sidelines for up to three weeks as he recovers from an ankle injury.

Gibbs, 21, picked up the injury in Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Partizan Belgrade in their Champions League group stage fixture on Wednesday night.

Initial scans confirmed that Gibbs will not be able to play with the injury, ruling him out of Monday’s trip to Old Trafford for the Gunners’ eagerly anticipated clash with Manchester United.

“We have lost Kieran Gibbs from Wednesday night but he should be the only one. We think today that he will be out for three weeks,” Wenger said on the club’s website.

“I am very disappointed (about it). I hope it will not put in his mind that he is an injured player. It was just an accident and you cannot do anything about it. Time will help him get over that and it is not major damage in his ankle.

With the Christmas period renowned for its hectic schedule, Wenger will need to look at alternative options to fill the left-back slot.

thankfully fellow left-back Gael Clichy has recovered from illness meaning covering Gibbs is not the problem it could have been.

“We should have (Gael) back (for Monday). He was in today. He was very weak still but we hope he will progress well,” Wenger said.

Wenger will be sweating on the fitness of skipper Cesc Fabregas for the blockbuster in Manchester, with the French boss unsure if his star man would be available.

“We could have Cesc Fabregas (back),” Wenger said. “But there is a big uncertainty if he can be in the squad or not. That will be decided very late.”

Wenger is also expecting Swiss defender Johan Djourou to play in the clash, despite concerns over a thigh problem.