Football: Arsenal's Lukas Podolski out for three weeks, Wenger says

Arsenal's Polish-born German striker Lukas Podolski lies injured on the sideline before being stretchered off during the Uefa Champions League Play-Off second leg football match at The Emirates Stadium in north London on Aug 27, 2013. Arsenal manager
Arsenal's Polish-born German striker Lukas Podolski lies injured on the sideline before being stretchered off during the Uefa Champions League Play-Off second leg football match at The Emirates Stadium in north London on Aug 27, 2013. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said Podolski would be out for around three weeks after the German forward injured his hamstring on Tuesday. -- PHOTO: AFP

LONDON, England (AFP) - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said that Lukas Podolski would be out for around three weeks after the German forward injured his hamstring against Fenerbahce in the Champions League on Tuesday.

The Germany forward had to be stretchered off early in the second half of Arsenal's 2-0 win at the Emirates Stadium, which completed a 5-0 aggregate win in the play-off round tie.

Wenger also saw Aaron Ramsey, scorer of both Arsenal's goals, go off with a groin complaint, while Jack Wilshere took some heavy blows to his troublesome ankle late in the game.

"That's the negative of tonight. We played a heavy price on the injury front because we lost Podolski," Wenger said.

"I don't know how bad Ramsey is. I don't know how Wilshere responds to an ankle problem. We have to check that tomorrow (Wednesday) morning.

"He (Wilshere) looks all right. But Podolski is definitely out for 21 days and Ramsey, we have to check how severe his groin problem is tomorrow."

Podolski will definitely miss Sunday's north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur and faces a race to get fit in time for Arsenal's opening Champions League group-phase game on Sept 17 or 18.

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