Arsenal striker Robin van Persie will be sidelined for at least three weeks with a knee injury, which means that the Duthman will miss the Champions League last-16 second leg match at Barcelona on March 8.

Van Persie, 27, picked up the injury while scoring Arsenal's equalizer in the 39th minute in the League Cup final last Sunday. He was then replaced in the 68th minute, watching from the bench the Gunners finally lost to Birmingham City 2-1.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger told the club's TV online on Tuesday that Van Persie would be out for the next three weeks for sure.

"It could be longer. The shortest delay we can imagine is three weeks. He is definitely out for Barcelona," said the Frenchman.

But Cesc Fabregas is a "possible" for the game at Barcelona as the Arsenal captain has been nursing a hamstring problem since hobbling off in the early stages of the 1-0 win over Stoke last Wednesday.

"He is making quick and good progress. It is possible," said Wenger.

In the first leg encounter, Arsenal came from 1-0 down to defeat Barcelona 2-1 at Emirates, thanks to efforts from Van Persie and Andrey Arshavin.