Arsenal have been rocked by the news that left back Gael Clichy is reportedly set to be out of action for close to a month after suffering a stress fracture in his lower back. Clichy will therefore miss Arsenal’s next two European games against AZ and Standard Liege and the Gunners’ Premier League fixtures against Wolves, Sunderland and Chelsea. Clichy’s expected return time is somewhere in early December 2009.
Clichy’s injury means that young Kieran Gibbs, touted as a future England senior international by Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will get more playing time under his belt. Thomas Vermaelen can also play in that role, but Wenger is unlikely to disturb the Belgian’s pairing in the heart of defence with William Gallas.