Arsenal face defensive woes as Gallas, Silvestre injured

AFP - 8 January 2009 17:50

Arsenal´s Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas (left) and French defender William Gallas at a team training session at London Colney. Arsenal´s hopes of regaining a place in the top four of the Premier League have suffered a blow with the news that defenders William Gallas and Mikael Silvestre have been ruled out of action for three weeks.

LONDON (AFP) - Arsenal's hopes of regaining a place in the top four of the Premier League have suffered a blow with the news that defenders William Gallas and Mikael Silvestre have been ruled out of action for three weeks.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger revealed on Thursday that he expects Kolo Toure to return to action following a groin problem in time for Saturday's meeting with Bolton at the Emirates.

"Kolo and (Brazilian midfielder) Denilson will be back available," Wenger told Arsenal TV Online. "However, unfortunately we have lost William Gallas with a hamstring problem.

"We lost Silvestre too with a thigh problem last week as well. So we have lost two players from the game on Saturday, but we have gained two back. I think Gallas and Silvestre will be out for three weeks."

Arsenal are fifth in the league, three points adrift of Aston Villa, the side currently occupying the final qualifying spot for next season's Champions League.