Wenger is robbed of options in midfield

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A growing injury crisis is likely to rob the Premier League leaders of six first-team players, including five midfielders, for tomorrow's game at the Emirates against strugglers Wigan.

Hleb, who has been in outstanding form this season, picked up a hamstring injury on international duty for Belarus while Cesc Fabregas (suspended), Mathieu Flamini (thigh), Abou Diaby (back) and Gilberto (fatigue) are also set to join striker Robin van Persie (knee) on the sidelines for the weekend's game.

Manager Arsene Wenger had pencilled in Van Persie for a return tomorrow but the Dutchman is still struggling and has also been ruled out of Tuesday's Champions League visit to Seville.

"Hleb came back with a hamstring injury," confirmed Wenger. "So once again we lose someone during this international period. I think he'll be out for 21 days.

"Flamini came back with a little thigh problem too. That will be one week maximum."

Gilberto would have been expected to replace Flamini in the midfield anchorman role but he might be overlooked again by Wenger because he only today returned from South America following Brazil's matches against Peru and Uruguay.

It means Wenger is likely to instead pair Gilberto's fellow Brazilian Denilson with Lassana Diarra in central midfield against Wigan, who have been unable to appoint Steve Bruce as manager because of a cash dispute, bizarrely regarding his image rights, between him and former club Birmingham.

The hold-up means caretaker-manager Frank Barlow remains in charge of the second-bottom club, who are on a run of seven straight defeats, even though Bruce is understood to have led yesterday's training session.