Arsenal winger Theo Walcott will miss Sunday’s Carling Cup final against Birmingham City, manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed.
Walcott suffered a sprained ankle in a challenge by Dean Whitehead during the Gunners’ 1-0 Premier League win over Stoke City on Wednesday night.
And Wenger confirmed the England international will be absent this weekend when Arsenal attempt to bring a near six-year trophy drought to an end with victory at Wembley Stadium.
The Frenchman said: “Theo Walcott has an ankle sprain and he is out. For how long, I don't know, but he is definitely out of Sunday.”
The Gunners also lost captain Cesc Fabregas in the early stages of the clash with the Potters, and Wenger is sweating over the fitness of the influential Spaniard.
He added: “Fabregas has a hamstring problem. We will assess that (on Thursday). It is impossible to see how serious it is.
“It is of course a concern that he is injured but it happens unfortunately. He was very upset. I am as well. But it is not his fault or mine. It is part of sport.
“It's strange when it happens early in the game but we have to face it. We did the job after that in a very professional way.”