Hleb out for two months

Arsenal have confirmed Alexander Hleb will be sidelined for two months with a knee injury suffered while playing for Belarus.

Arsene Wenger is already without several first-team regulars at West Brom.

Captain Thierry Henry (groin), defenders Ashley Cole (foot) and Sol Campbell (hamstring) have been joined by forward Robin van Persie (thigh) and Hleb, whose knee problem required surgery.

Gilberto is also unlikely to feature after only just arriving back from international duty with Brazil.

Centre-half Philippe Senderos is, however, fit again following a back injury, while French youngster Gael Clichy is set to come in for Cole at left-back.

"We have lost many players over the break when we should have come back refreshed," said Wenger.

"For some it is a question of days, and others - like Ashley Cole and Hleb - it is a matter of six to eight weeks."

Provisional squad: Lehmann, Lauren, Toure, Senderos, Clichy, Fabregas, Flamini, Pires, Bergkamp, Ljungberg, Flamini, Reyes, Cygan, Song, Quincy, Eboue, Almunia, Gilberto.