Last Updated: Fri, 01 Feb 2013 18:06
Arsenal left-back Kieran Gibbs will miss both legs of the Champions League showdown with Bayern Munich with a thigh injury.
The defender had initially been ruled out for up to three weeks after picking up the knock in the draw with Liverpool, but Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has revealed the problem is likely to sideline Gibbs for around two months.
Wenger moved to secure the services of Nacho Monreal from Malaga on deadline day but the Spaniard is cup-tied and therefore ineligible for the Champions League last 16 encounter.
"We had the blow with Gibbs's injury, which is longer than we thought. We expected two to three weeks, it is going to be four to six, so we were in a position where we had to act quickly and that explains our buy (Monreal)," said Wenger.
"We bought him as a left-back but he can also play as a left-sided midfielder. We believe he can integrate into our style of play and adapt very quickly.
"I believe we need two left-backs anyway. We cannot play with the same player every game."
Arsenal face a huge task if they are to see off 2012 finalists Bayern in Europe but punters may wish to use their free bet to back Wenger's men to secure a Premier League top four finish, given the Frenchman's success at guiding the Gunners into Europe's top competition over the course of his stay in north London and the capture of Monreal from La Liga.
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