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Extended Cole layoff compounds Wenger’s problems

13/10/2005

Arsenal will be without England left-back Ashley Cole for longer than initially thought, Arsene Wenger has revealed.

Cole is likely to miss around 13 games – including a derby clash with Spurs and Champions League showdowns with Sparta Prague, FC Thun and Ajax – after it was admitted that a stress fracture to his foot, diagnosed last week, will sideline him well into December.

The club had hoped that Cole would be back in action several weeks sooner, but now face the prospect of beginning their most gruelling period of the season without the 24-year-old and team-mate Thierry Henry, who is still sidelined with a groin injury.

Promising French youngster Gael Clichy is Cole’s natural deputy, but he is still lacking the kind of experience – and ensuing consistency – that manager Arsene Wenger would ideally wish for as his side struggles to bridge the 11-point chasm between them and Chelsea in the Premiership.

There was some better news today, though, with Wenger revealing that Sol Campbell – injured on England duty last Saturday – may well be able to play some part in Prague next Tuesday.

"Campbell's absence will be shorter than expected," he said. "He could be fit for Tuesday."

The former Spurs defender will sit out Saturday’s match against West Bromwich Albion, though, and will be joined by Gilberto and Alexander Hleb on the sidelines.

The Brazilian is likely to be jet-lagged after returning from international duty on Friday, while the Belarussian Hleb paid the price for his key role in Scotland’s World Cup downfall last Saturday by sustaining a knee injury at Hampden Park.

The Gunners have experienced their worst start to a league campaign in five seasons and currently occupy an unconvincing seventh place in the Premiership table, with an exemplary home record offset by defeats at Chelsea and Middlesbrough.

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