Song out of Barca trip

[Dunny]

Alex Song is to miss the second leg of Arsenal's UEFA Champions League quarter-final against Barcelona on Tuesday night.
Song suffered a groin injury in the Premier League victory over Wolves at the weekend and had to be taken off with almost 20 minutes remaining.
Wenger later expressed hope that Song would be fit for European duty but admitted he would have to be assessed nearer to kick-off.
But it has now been confirmed that the Cameroon international will not feature at Camp Nou after his name was left off the 18-man squad travelling to Spain.
Song has been a key player in midfield this season but was expected to play in central defence against Barca in the absence of William Gallas.
Campbell option

Gallas may not play again this season due to a calf problem and Wenger is now likely to turn to veteran Sol Campbell alongside Thomas Vermaelen.
Wenger's preparations for the second leg have been hit by several injuries to key players, with Cesc Fabregas and Andrey Arshavin joining Song and Gallas on the sidelines.
Robin van Persie (ankle) is back in training, but is still a couple of weeks away from a return.
Wenger will not therefore be able to send out a full-strength team as the Gunners look to make it through to the last four.
The tie is at least delicately poised after a pulsating first leg at Emirates Stadium when Arsenal recovered from an initial onslaught to draw 2-2.

[Lazie]

Alex Song is to miss the second leg of Arsenal's UEFA Champions League quarter-final against Barcelona on Tuesday night.
Song suffered a groin injury in the Premier League victory over Wolves at the weekend and had to be taken off with almost 20 minutes remaining.
Wenger later expressed hope that Song would be fit for European duty but admitted he would have to be assessed nearer to kick-off.
But it has now been confirmed that the Cameroon international will not feature at Camp Nou after his name was left off the 18-man squad travelling to Spain.
Song has been a key player in midfield this season but was expected to play in central defence against Barca in the absence of William Gallas.
Campbell option

Gallas may not play again this season due to a calf problem and Wenger is now likely to turn to veteran Sol Campbell alongside Thomas Vermaelen.
Wenger's preparations for the second leg have been hit by several injuries to key players, with Cesc Fabregas and Andrey Arshavin joining Song and Gallas on the sidelines.
Robin van Persie (ankle) is back in training, but is still a couple of weeks away from a return.
Wenger will not therefore be able to send out a full-strength team as the Gunners look to make it through to the last four.
The tie is at least delicately poised after a pulsating first leg at Emirates Stadium when Arsenal recovered from an initial onslaught to draw 2-2.

Good news, Zlatan is out.

[Rockman]

He likely will be missed, he is key to getting the ball from deep within their half to his lurking strikers midway in their opponent's half.
One of the few gems on Arsenal.


Blessed

[Peter R]

That's a blow... especially when it's Sol Campbell you have as replacement.

[Dunny]

Barcelona have been rocked by the news that Andres Iniesta will miss Tuesday's meeting with Arsenal.
Pep Guardiola has seen his plans for the game thrown into disarray by mounting injury and suspension concerns.
The Catalan giants already knew they would face the Gunners without first-choice centre-halves Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol, as they must serve a ban.
They have since seen Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the man who scored both of their goals in the 2-2 draw between the two sides in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final, ruled out with a thigh strain.
The bad news shows no sign of abating, though, with midfield playmaker Iniesta the latest to be declared unavailable.
The Spain international, who also missed the first meeting at Emirates Stadium, is nursing a muscular complaint in his left leg and is still some way short of match fitness.
Worryingly for Barca, his fellow midfielder, Yaya Toure, is also a doubt after missing training on Sunday with a knock to his ankle.
He will, however, be given as long as possible to prove his fitness ahead of the crunch clash at Camp Nou.

[Dunny]

That's a blow... especially when it's Sol Campbell you have as replacement.

If i was the coach i would move Sagna into the middle with Vermalaen and play Eboue at right back.

[Peter R]

I think they have impact players still on the field...all your guys who can turn a game around are out.

I'll be wearing an Arsenal cap in support anyway.