Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie is out of the Champions League showdown with Barcelona next week – but Cesc Fabregas could face his former club.

Dutch World Cup star Van Persie has been ruled out for at least three weeks with the knee injury picked up in the Carling Cup defeat to Birmingham on Sunday.

Fabregas does have a chance of playing against the Spanish league leaders despite the hamstring problem that kept him out of the Wembley final.

Van Persie scored as Arsenal beat Barca in the first leg at the Emirates and his loss will be a big blow to the Gunners.

“Unfortunately, we had bad news on the scan and Robin will be out for the next three weeks for sure,” manager Arsene Wenger told Arsenal TV Online.

“It could be longer. The shortest delay we can imagine is three weeks, so he is definitely out for Barcelona.”

Fabregas will miss the FA Cup replay against Orient on Wednesday and the EPL clash with Sunderland on Saturday but could make the Barcelona match.

“Cesc is looking possible for that game. He is making quick and good progress. It is possible,” added Wenger.