Arsene Wenger hoped Kieran Gibbs would recover in time for Wednesday's game at Aston Villa, but that won't be the case. Arsenal.com reports the injured left fullback had a setback in his recovery from a hernia operation and won't be available before Monday's game against Wolves.
"Kieran Gibbs has unfortunately had a setback and he is not back yet," Wenger said. "It's very disappointing because we had good hope that he would be back for tomorrow's game, but he is not available."
The injury bug hit Arsenal's fullback corps at epidemic levels. Bacary Sanga, Carl Jenkinson and Andre Santos are all long-term casualties. Stand-in right back Johan Djourou injured his groin in Sunday's loss to Manchester City.
Wenger fielded central defenders across his back line Sunday and that it looks like that will be the case for at least the next match or two. Reserve team captain Ignaci Miquel could make his first-ever league start for the Gunners against Villa.
Photo via Flickr/Ronnie Macdonald
