Campbell injury blow for Wenger

Arsenal have a defensive crisis ahead of their Premiership clash with Aston Villa on Saturday with Sol Campbell ruled out for 10 days with an ankle injury.

The central defender was injured during the 4-2 home defeat by Manchester United last night as he blocked the run of United striker Louis Saha late in the match.

He has damaged the ligaments and, as well as the match at Villa, Campbell will miss England's friendly against Holland next week. His absence will give Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger a major problem as he attempts to revive the club's season following a loss that he conceded has ended any hopes of retaining the title.

He is also without Kolo Toure who will complete a three-match ban on Saturday and Philippe Senderos is also missing because of a knee injury.

Wenger will have little option other than to play England Under-21 international Justin Hoyte in central defence for what will be only his fifth Premiership start. He will pair him with Pascal Cygan, who has played in Toure's absence against Wolves in the FA Cup and against United last night.

Campbell's injury means that England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson will not have the chance to give his first choice central defence of Campbell and Rio Ferdinand a run out before the World Cup qualifiers resume next month.