Hleb suffers "unbelievable" bruising

Monday, October 01, 2007 5:19pm

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The bruising on Alexander Hleb's lower leg has been described by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger as "unbelievable".

The Belarusian midfielder was the victim of a full-blooded challenge from West Ham United midfielder Mark Noble during the Gunners' 1-0 victory at Upton Park on Saturday.

And the injury looks set to rule him out of Arsenal's midweek Champions League trip to Steaua Bucharest, leaving Wenger short of one of his key playmakers.

"If it was an accident, it is a very bad accident, because if you see his leg it is unbelievable," Wenger said to the Arsenal website regarding Saturday's incident.

"It is red and bruised from the knee down to the toes. We are quite optimistic because, for me, Noble is usually a fair player.

"I don't know if it was an accident or not but he caught him very well."

Wenger also claimed that Hleb "cannot walk properly" as a result of his injury and ruled him out of contention for selection for tomorrow night's match.

Arsenal began their Champions League campaign with a sound 3-0 victory over Sevilla at the Emirates Stadium two weeks ago.

And they will look to move further clear at the top of group H ahead of their double-header against current second-placed side Slavia Prague.