(dpa) - Arsenal's outside hopes of winning the English Premiership title were dealt another blow on Thursday when midfielder Mathieu Flamini was ruled out for around three weeks because of injury.
The Frenchman suffered an ankle injury in the Champions League match with Liverpool on Tuesday and manager Arsene Wenger confirmed the news fans had been fearing.
"I believe Mathieu will be out for three weeks," Wenger said on the club's official website.
"It is a big blow but Gilberto (Silva) has a lot of quality and experience. He will come in. He can help the team recover and focus.
Wenger's team, who stand six points behind Manchester United with five games to go, go to Old Trafford on Sunday in a match they have to win to keep their hopes alive.
"Apart from that we don't have any other injuries from Tuesday. We have a few bumps and bruises but nothing special," Wenger said.
"Robin van Persie is available. He had two good sessions yesterday and today. He looks to be OK and we'll see how we go from here. But Bacary Sagna is out."