Arsenal defender Mikael Silvestre suffered a thigh injury in the FA Cup third round win over Plymouth and will be out for three weeks. Although Silvestre will now be sidelined until the end of January, Wenger is hoping Gael Clichy will be fit to return against Bolton on Saturday.

"It is a thigh problem," Wenger said. "(He will be out for) Three weeks, 21 days.

"I have to look at it but at the moment with the injuries we are a little bit short everywhere. I hope Kolo will not be out for a very long time because he has an inflamed groin.

"On the left-hand side we are a bit short but Gael Clichy should be back for next week."