Arsene Wenger has revealed there is an "80 per cent" chance that
William Gallas will not be fit for the first leg of Arsenal's
Champions League quarter-final against Barcelona.
The French defender has not played since the 1-0 victory over
Liverpool in February due to a calf problem and Wenger expressed
concern earlier this week about how long the injury was taking to
heal.
It was already known that Gallas would be sidelined for a
further two Premier League matches, at home to West Ham this
Saturday and then away to Birmingham next weekend.
However, Wenger now thinks the centre-back could fail to
recover in time to face Barca at Emirates Stadium on March 31.
The Gunners manager has played down fears that Gallas could
be out for the rest of the season, but is not sure exactly when he
will be able to get back on the pitch.
"I hope he will play again soon, but at the moment it does
not look too good," Wenger told the club's official website.
"He will play some part before the end of the season, but
will he be ready to play against Barcelona? That is another
question mark. I would say he is already at 80 per cent out for the
first leg.
"But he should play again before the end of the season."
Gallas set to miss Barcelona clash
Arsene Wenger has revealed there is an "80 per cent" chance that
William Gallas will not be fit for the first leg of Arsenal's
Champions League quarter-final against Barcelona.
The French defender has not played since the 1-0 victory over
Liverpool in February due to a calf problem and Wenger expressed
concern earlier this week about how long the injury was taking to
heal.
It was already known that Gallas would be sidelined for a
further two Premier League matches, at home to West Ham this
Saturday and then away to Birmingham next weekend.
However, Wenger now thinks the centre-back could fail to
recover in time to face Barca at Emirates Stadium on March 31.
The Gunners manager has played down fears that Gallas could
be out for the rest of the season, but is not sure exactly when he
will be able to get back on the pitch.
"I hope he will play again soon, but at the moment it does
not look too good," Wenger told the club's official website.
"He will play some part before the end of the season, but
will he be ready to play against Barcelona? That is another
question mark. I would say he is already at 80 per cent out for the
first leg.
"But he should play again before the end of the season."