Gibbs was replaced by Emmanuel Eboue after being taken off on a stretcher

Arsenal left-back Kieran Gibbs will miss Monday's Premier League trip to Manchester United, while captain Cesc Fabregas is an injury doubt.

Gibbs suffered an ankle injury against Partizan Belgrade on Wednesday and is expected to be out for three weeks.

Fabregas has missed four matches and boss Arsene Wenger said he was a "big uncertainty" for the crunch clash.

But the Spaniard said on his Twitter account: "Training, training and more training. Hopefully I'll be available."

He also added: "Best wishes to my good friend Kieran Gibbs. Sometimes, when you are in a bad run with injuries nothing goes your way, but he will go past it."

On a brighter note for the Gunners, Gael Clichy is on the mend after illness and should be fit for Monday, as should Johan Djourou.

Gibbs, 21, managed only 23 minutes of Wednesday's Champions League win and underwent a scan on Thursday having left the Emirates Stadium on crutches.

606: DEBATE Gibbs needs to go on a body strengthening course. He is injured far too often. We always need a sub left-back on the bench when he plays sammy_nelson_sbum

"We have lost Kieran Gibbs from Wednesday night but he should be the only one," said Wenger. "We think that he will be out for three weeks.

"I am very disappointed [about it]. I hope it will not put in his mind that he is an injured player. It was just an accident and you cannot do anything about it. Time will help him get over that and it is not major damage in his ankle.

"We should have Gael back. He was in today. He was very weak still but we hope he will progress well. Johan Djourou should be fine."

It is the latest setback for England international Gibbs, whose early career has been plagued by injuries.

The Lambeth-born defender missed the majority of the 2009-10 season with a fractured metatarsal and severely bruised that same left foot in Arsenal's Carling Cup win at Tottenham in September.

He then sustained medial knee ligament damage during a Carling Cup victory over Newcastle on 27 October and was making only his seventh club start this season against Partizan.

"He is unbelievably unlucky," stated Wenger following a 3-1 triumph that sent Arsenal through to the Champions League last 16.

"No [it is not the same ankle he injured previously], it is the right one. He is on crutches. I cannot tell you more. We will know tomorrow [Thursday]."

Gibbs was deputising for first-choice left-back Clichy after he was ruled out through illness.

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