Arsenal v Manchester United FA Cup clash: Gabriel out while Wojciech Szczęsny and Nacho Monreal are doubts

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed Gabriel Paulista will miss the FA Cup clash against Manchester United on Monday 1 March due to injuries while there are doubts over Nacho Monreal and Wojciech Szczęsny.

The Brazilian centre-back, who arrived from Villarreal during the January transfer window, sustained a hamstring injury during the first part of the 2-1 victory over Queens Park Rangers on Wednesday night (4 March) and eventually had to be replaced by Laurent Koscielny.

Wenger claimed after the game he may be out of action for a while and now has confirmed he will miss the trip to Old Trafford.

"Gabriel has a hamstring injury and he will be out for two to three weeks," he said.

Furthermore, the boss has claimed that Szczęsny and Monreal will need to be assessed before a decision is made on whether they will be ready to take on Manchester United.

The Polish goalkeeper had lost the number one spot ahead of David Ospina both in the Premier League and the Champions League but remains the starting choice for the FA Cup.

"Szczęsny has a test today. If he gets through that then he will play on Monday night," Wenger said.

And speaking about Monreal's possible return to action, he said: "Monreal might come back. He has a test today."

The boss has also expressed his confidence in beating Louis van Gaal's side to go through to the semi-final and keep the chance of defending their title alive.

"We are confident. We go to Manchester United to qualify and give absolutely everything with hard work and team effort. I don't believe too much in history. At the moment we are doing very well away from home so it's down to our effort," he said.

"It's a special intensity because it's between two teams with a chance of winning. We're focused on the FA Cup."