Premier League Injuries: Arsenal weak without Gibbs

Kieran Gibbs will miss Arsenal's clash at Old Trafford

Kieran Gibbs, Micah Richards and Michel Vorm will all be big misses for their clubs this weekend...

Kieran Gibbs - Manchester United v Arsenal (Saturday, 12:45, Sky Sports 2)
Since Arsenal's first-choice left back hobbled off midway through the second half of their game at West Ham, it's been no surprise to see the Gunners' results slide. The young Englishman had started all seven Premier League games and both Champions League outings for Arsene Wenger to that point - helping Arsenal to five wins and only the one defeat in a bright opening spell for the Londoners. In the following three fixtures, the Gunners lost twice before scraping past QPR in yet another below-par performance. This cannot solely be attributed to Gibbs' absence, though his replacement Andre Santos' penchant for over-exuberance going forward has left Arsenal exposed at times. Against Manchester United, who possess the greatest ensemble of wingers in the league, you fear it might be another torrid trip to Old Trafford for the Gunners' defensive unit. 

Micah Richards - West Ham v Manchester City (Saturday, 15:00)
After already serving a lengthy spell on the sidelines following Olympic involvement, the last thing Roberto Mancini needed was another injury to Richards. The versatile defender suffered a nasty knee injury against Swansea and could be out for up to four months following surgery. Mancini has been widely criticised for over-tinkering with his personnel and tactics this season but this latest setback will leave the Italian with no choice other than to shuffle his pack once more. A succession of other knocks to defensive players such as Javi Garcia, Jack Rodwell, Maicon and Pablo Zabaleta - though the latter is expected to be fit - leave the champions vulnerable. With players such as Matt Jarvis always willing to run at players and get crosses in to the likes of Andy Carroll, West Ham will fancy their chances of at least landing a blow in this contest.  

Michel Vorm - Swansea v Chelsea (Saturday, 15:00)
Vorm made a habit of eye-catching displays between the sticks in Swansea's impressive debut Premier League season. In fact, the Dutch shot-stopper only missed one league game all season for the Welsh side keeping an incredible 14 clean sheets in the process. His importance is further highlighted by Swansea losing three of the four games their number one missed in 2011/12. Vorm has torn a groin muscle and, according to boss Michael Laudrup, will now miss up to six weeks of the campaign. Not the news Swans fans wanted to hear, especially with the league leaders next to roll their glitzy bus into town, one of only two teams to have bagged more than 20 goals already this season. 

Recommended Bets:
Back Manchester United to score three goals or more @ 3.1511/5
Back Manchester City to come from behind to beat West Ham @ 8.415/2
Back Chelsea to beat Swansea @ 1.855/6