Injury frustration for United and Arsenal

CHELSEA have been the big winners of a dramatic week of Champions League football as title rivals Manchester United and Arsenal count the cost of their midweek exertions.

The Gunners were the big losers after club captain Cesc Fabregas was ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a small crack in his right fibula during Wednesday night’s 2-2 draw with Barcelona.

William Gallas and Andrey Arshavin were also forced off against the European champions and have been ruled out for three weeks.

Manchester United will be without Wayne Rooney for tomorrow’s crunch showdown with Chelsea but there was some good news for Alex Ferguson as scans have confirmed the former Everton star has suffered only “minor” ankle ligament damage in the Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich on Tuesday night.

However the striker is still set for an extended spell on the sidelines although United have refused to reveal precisely how long he will be out.

“We are pleased to report that Wayne has not suffered a fracture,” a United spokesperson said.

“The scan revealed only minor ligament damage.”

A recovery period of between two and four weeks has been mooted.

If the former proves correct, Rooney could be back in action for the Champions League semi-final, providing United overhaul Bayern’s first-leg advantage.

A four-week spell on the sidelines would have him back in action in time to face Sunderland on May 1.

Fabregas’ break occurred in the collision with Carles Puyol, the Barcelona captain, who was shown a red card by Swiss referee Massimo Busacca for the tackle that led to the equalising penalty.

However, while Fabregas will miss the rest of the domestic season, the 22-year-old should still be fit for the World Cup with Spain.

The club confirmed: “Following a scan, the club can confirm that Cesc Fabregas has suffered a small crack in his right fibula as a result of the collision with Barcelona defender Carles Puyol during Wednesday evening’s match.

“As a consequence, Cesc will miss the remainder of the domestic campaign as he will be out of action for at six weeks.”

Arshavin has picked up a calf problem and revealed: “I won’t be able to play for another two or three weeks.”

There was some good news on Gallas though, with Wenger revealing the French defender would miss the next three weeks and not six as had been originally feared.

“At the moment, we are like an army who have come back from a big battle,” Wenger said.

“We have some bruises but we need to recover and then go to the next battle.

“William had a recurrence of his calf strain. That is at least three weeks.”

To add to Wenger’s woes Gael Clichy and Denilson are doubtful for tomorrow’s clash with Wolves.

One bit of bright news for Wenger is that Robin van Persie could be back in action by the end of the month after suffering what turned out to be a serious ankle injury while on international duty during November.