Football Corner

Arsenal's Gael Clichy has been ruled out of action due to a foot injury picked up in his country's World under 21 Cup qualifier against England. Arsenal are already running short on left backs this season after earlier this year Ashley Cole picked up an injury whilst on international duty with England. And Arsenal have allowed a possible replacement, Justin Hoyte, to go on a season-long loan to Sunderland. Hoyte is normally a right-back but has been playing on the opposite flank for the Black Cats. The French Football Federation has confirmed Clichy had fractured his foot and returned to Arsenal for treatment.

The Highbury club, meanwhile, were still carrying out tests on the extent of the injury before making any public comment on Clichy's condition. It is not yet known for how long Clichy will be out of action, but any absence would be a significant blow for manager Arsene Wenger. With Hoyte on loan, other options appear to be moving central defenders Pascal Cygan or Kolo Toure over to left-back or asking Emmanuel Eboue, who is predominantly a right-sided player, to shift flanks.

This is a big blow for Arsenal because Clichy was just starting to adapt to the pace of the Premiership after his run in the team due to Cole's absence. Clichy is a young left back with lots of talent and I think he will become Ashley Cole's permanent replacement when he eventually leaves Highbury.