Arsene Wenger’s selection choices in the final stretch of the season just became a lot more difficult after his worst fears were realized after confirmation of medial knee ligament damage to French International William Gallas during Arsenal’s 1 - 1 result at Villareal on Tuesday.

Via UEFA 

The Arsenal manager told a news conference: “Gallas is a quick healer but we think he will be short to come back before the end of the season. It’s a big, big blow.”

With Villarreal due in north London next Wednesday, goalkeeper Manuel Almunia has been counted out for three weeks with the ankle injury that forced his first-half substitution – by ?ukasz Fabia?ski – at El Madrigal. In addition, left-back Gaël Clichy, who completed the game in Spain, hurt his back and faces a two-week lay-off. “We lost three players on Tuesday so we have to once again rely on the depth in the squad,” added Wenger.