Arsenal's Gibbs ruled out for 3 weeks

Arsenal defender Kieran Gibbs has been ruled out for three weeks after suffering a thigh strain in his side's 2-2 draw against Liverpool on Wednesday. Gibbs was forced off in the 37th minute at the Emirates Stadium and Gunners manager Arsene Wenger doesn't expect to see the left-back in action again until late February. "He has a thigh strain that rules him out for the next three weeks. It's a blow for us of course," Wenger said. "He was an important player for us going forward and the game we wanted to play. It's a shame he's out for the next three weeks." Gibbs will miss Saturday's meeting with Stoke and a further Premier League clash against Sunderland, while he could also be a doubt for the UEFA Champions League last 16 first leg against Bayern Munich. Wenger said he would think about looking for a replacement for Gibbs before the transfer window closes on Thursday, but he also confirmed his move for Barcelona striker David Villa had been called off. The Spain international, out of favour at Barcelona, was high on Wenger's wanted list, but asked if the deal was dead, he said: "Yes." From FIFA