Zlatan out of Gunners return

Barca striker struggling with calf problem

By Francisco Acedo   Last updated: 3rd April 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Zlatan out of Gunners return

Ibrahimovic: Set to miss out

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been ruled out of Barcelona's return date with Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League.

Fears were raised regarding his fitness after he was forced to pull out of Barca's Primera Liga fixture with Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.

Ibrahimovic felt discomfort in his right calf ahead of the Camp Nou contest and was replaced in the starting XI by Bojan Krkic, who went on to score two goals in a 4-1 win.

Barca initially revealed that the 28-year-old would be examined on Sunday, allowing them to determine the full extent of the problem, but have since confirmed that the Swede will play no part in Tuesday's crunch clash with the Gunners.

Pep Guardiola was desperate to have the powerful frontman available in midweek, with his side looking to take the next step in the defence of their European crown.

However, Ibrahimovic, who scored both of Barcelona's goals in their 2-2 draw with Arsenal in the first leg of their continental contest, will be among those forced to watch on when Arsene Wenger's side arrive in Catalunya.