Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta will miss the first leg against Arsenal due to a thigh injury.
Midfielder out of first leg against Arsenal due to thigh injury
Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta will miss the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final against Arsenal due to a thigh injury.
Iniesta suffered the problem during Barca's 1-0 win at Mallorca in La Liga on Saturday and he was replaced by Lionel Messi early in the second half.
He underwent tests on the injury on Sunday morning and scans have shown Iniesta will require 10 days on the sidelines.
It means he will miss Barca's trip to Emirates Stadium on Wednesday and the league game against Athletic Bilbao next weekend.
The Spain international will now be in a race against the clock to be fit for Arsenal's visit to Camp Nou on 6th April, while Barca then face title rivals Real Madrid.
Iniesta's place in the team to face Arsenal in midweek is likely to be taken by Xavi, who appeared as a second-half substitute against Mallorca.
Barca coach Pep Guardiola is also optimistic that Gerard Pique will be fit to tackle the Gunners after the former Manchester United defender missed the Mallorca game.
