[Anderson]

Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini has been ruled out of action for three weeks.

Flamini faces a spell on the sidelines after suffering an ankle injury during Tuesday's heartbreaking UEFA Champions League defeat to Liverpool.

The French international was stretchered off before half-time at Anfield after sustaining the injury and scans have shown the full extent of the problem.

It means Flamini will miss this weekend's vital showdown with Manchester United, live on Sky Sports 1.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger admitted it was a major blow to lose the key midfielder with Gilberto Silva likely to replace Flamini in the Arsenal engine room at Old Trafford.

"I believe Mathieu will be out for three weeks," Wenger told the club's official website.

Blow

"It is a big blow but Gilberto has a lot of quality and experience. He will come in. He can help the team recover and focus.

"Apart from that we don't have any other injuries from Tuesday. We have a few bumps and bruises but nothing special.

Boost

Wenger also confirmed Robin van Persie is fit for the trip to United after recovering from a thigh problem, but Bacary Sagna was still missing.

"Robin van Persie is available. He had two good sessions yesterday and today," added Wenger

"He looks to be OK and we'll see how we go from here. But Bacary Sagna is out."

from skysports.com

[Mark]

big loss for Arsenal, Flamini it's gunners's Mascherano and i don't think Gilberto has the stamina to fill his gap so well, he it's a little bit "more" old, i saw that into victory over them in them FA Cup if i'm not wrong.

will see how Arsenal will manage that loss, big one i say again from my POV.

[MissGooner4]

Very big loss and I think thats the last of Flamini, no progress in his contract talks, he looks to be heading to Juventus. What a shame too, hes absolute class and hes going for free! I think his Agent has put too much in his head, I know its down to more money. But oh well, I hope Wenger finds a good replacement, or maybe Diaby will finally be put in his position, who knows coz frankly Gilberto has passed it and he might be heading out in the summer too.