Nasri blow for Gunners

Samir Nasri is in major doubt for Arsenal’s Champions League clash with Barcelona after picking up what appears to be a serious hamstring injury.

Nasri could be sidelined for three weeks after pulling up lame in the Gunners’ 2-1 FA Cup win over Huddersfield Town on Sunday.

The injury is a cruel blow to the France international, who has been enjoying a breakout season for both club and country and leads Arsenal’s scoring with nine goals.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger made sweeping changes to the starting XI for the fourth round tie, but elected to keep Nasri in the line-up with Tomas Rosicky ill with a virus.

The despondent Gunners boss conceded his decision to play Nasri had backfired.

“Nasri looks to have a serious hamstring injury,” Wenger told reporters following the match.

“Usually it is three weeks, but we will have to see first. If it is a grade one (tear), then it will be two weeks.”

“I now have regrets because the plan was to play Rosicky, but he was still too weak because he was sick, so I took the gamble on Nasri.”

“It backfired, but he could have come on and that happened as well. It is very difficult to predict.”

“We are at the stage of the season where we play so many games that to lose bodies is very difficult for us. But Samir is a big blow.”

“Add three weeks on to now and it means he is a doubt for the Barcelona game.”