Arshavin hits back at Wenger

The 28-year-old sustained a groin problem in the Gunners' 2-1 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford, and subsequently sat out Russia's clash with Liechtenstein.

But despite Wenger warning former Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink that the diminutive playmaker was not fit, the Dutchman selected him in the 3-1 win in Cardiff, with Arshavin reportedly worsening the injury as a result.

The former Zenit St Petersburg star is now expected to miss Arsenal's next two matches against Standard Liege and Wigan Athletic, having sat out the 4-2 defeat to Manchester City at the weekend.

But the Russian revealed that he had in fact done no further damage to his groin on international duty, and instead had injured his knee.

"There was no recurrence of a groin injury, as has been reported in many publications. Moreover, I'm more concerned today with my knee than the groin," he said in the Daily Mail.

"Nothing appears to have worsened, scans on Friday are only showing issues in the knee.

"And the next matches in the English Premier League and Champions League, I would have missed in any case: the optimum period of recovery after such an injury as I have had is 21 days and this has not passed."

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Gregg Davies

Gregg Davies is the Chief Sub Editor of FourFourTwo magazine, joining the team in January 2008 and spending seven years working on the website. He supports non-league behemoths Hereford and commentates on Bulls matches for Radio Hereford FC. His passions include chocolate hobnobs and attempting to shoehorn Ronnie Radford into any office conversation.