GALLAS SET TO MISS BARCA CLASH

Arsene Wenger has revealed there is an “80 per cent” chance that William Gallas will not be fit for the first leg of Arsenal's Champions League quarter-final against Barcelona.

The French defender has not played since the 1-0 victory over Liverpool in February due to a calf problem and Wenger expressed concern earlier last week about how long the injury was taking to heal.

It was already known that Gallas would be sidelined for a further two Premier League matches, at home to West Ham yesterday (Saturday) and then away to Birmingham this weekend.

However, Wenger now thinks the centre-back could fail to recover in time to face Barca at Emirates Stadium on March 31.

The Gunners manager has played down fears that Gallas could be out for the rest of the season, but is not sure exactly when he will be able to get back on the pitch. “I hope he will play again soon, but at the moment it does not look too good,” Wenger told the club's official website.

“He will play some part before the end of the season, but will he be ready to play against Barcelona? That is another question mark. I would say he is already at 80 per cent out for the first leg.

“But he should play again before the end of the season.”