Massive blow for Arsenal

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Pires in agony at the weekend

Premiership challengers Arsenals have been dealt a huge blow with the news that they will be without key player Robert Pires for the rest of the season after he sustained serious cruciate ligament damage when he twisted his right knee against Newcastle at the weekend.

Arsenal confirmed the news. A statement read: "Results from a scan have revealed that Robert Pires has sustained serious cruciate knee ligament damage. He will be sidelined for several months, missing the remainder of this season and the World Cup finals in Korea and Japan."

Pires is a leading candidate for both the PFA and Football Writers' Player of the Year awards.