Injury crisis is threat to Arsenal title bid

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Robin van Persie (thigh), Johan Djourou (groin), Philippe Senderos (knee), Bacary Sagna (ankle) and Theo Walcott (ankle) all picked up injuries in last night's Carling Cup clash with Spurs.

Manager Arsene Wenger is already without Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Eboue and Alex Song, all of whom have left to play in the African Nations' Cup.

Arsenal are particularly short of numbers at the back ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Birmingham and Wenger admits it has been a bad few days for his squad.

He said: "Together with the three players who have left for the African Nations' Cup, we have lost seven players in two days. We have a problem in central defence. Perhaps I will have to play there!"

On Van Persie, who was making his return from a thigh injury, Wenger added: "We will have to see if it is just a bit of scar tissue which will keep him out for one or two days or something else."

Meanwhile, Jens Lehmann has agreed terms with Borussia Dortmund, according to the Bundesliga club. However, the deal is unlikely to be wrapped up for several days as the 38-year-old German keeper has personal issues to resolve.

Dortmund spokesman Joseph Schneck said they had agreed terms but added it was "too early to confirm that he'll come".

However, Wenger dismissed the reports and denied that a deal had been done.

Schneck added: "We're still waiting for him to iron out a few things, like personal matters - then we hope he'll join us."