Goalkeeper Petr Cech facing up to four weeks on the sidelines with calf injury, reveals Arsene Wenger

Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech will be sidelined for three to four weeks with a calf injury, manager Arsene Wenger has revealed.

 

The veteran shot-stopper suffered the problem in the closing stages of the midweek defeat to Swansea.

He will now miss a crucial run of games, including Saturday's north London derby clash at Tottenham, the FA Cup fifth round replay with Hull and the last-16 Champions League tie at Barcelona.

Cech's absence is a huge blow for Arsenal as they bid to get their title bid back on track against Spurs.

Arsenal-linked defender Daniele Rugani set for Sampdoria loan move

The centre-back joined Juventus from Empoli in the summer but has found first-team chances hard to come by with the reigning Italian champions.

 

That has led to speculation linking Rugani – who has been likened by some to a young Fabio Cannavaro – with a move to Arsenal, although Napoli are also said to hold an interest in the Italy Under-21 international.

Juventus will only sanction loan deal for Gunners target -Arsenal report:

The defender, who has been likened to World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro, is tipped for a bright future but has struggled for action this season.

 

Both Arsenal and Napoli are big fans of the 21-year-old and the pair had been linked with January bids for the Italian.