Alexis Sanchez and Santi Cazorla ruled out of Arsenal's crunch tie with Olympiakos

Santi Cazorla (left) and Alexis Sanchez (right) have been ruled out Arsenal's tie with Olympiakos

ARSENAL'S season was plunged into crisis last night as Alexis Sanchez and Santi Cazorla were ruled out of next week's crucial Champions League showdown with Olympiakos.

 

Joint top scorer and key striker Sanchez is facing a three-week lay-off with a hamstring injury aggravated in the 1-1 draw at Norwich on Sunday, and Spanish midfielder Cazorla was injured in the same match and could be out for a similar length of time.

Defender Laurent Koscielny is also struggling with a hip injury sustained at Carrow Road and is doubtful for the make or break game in Athens a week tomorrow.

Gunners manager Arsene Wenger is likely to be without eight first-team players for Saturday's home Premier League clash with Sunderland.

 

England full-back Kieron Gibbs missed the Norwich game with a calf problem but is set to return for Saturday.

But that is likely to be the only good news, as Wenger already has Jack Wilshere, Danny Welbeck, Mikel Arteta, Tomas Rosicky and Francis Coquelin sidelined long term, and England striker Theo Walcott is facing a battle to be fit before Christmas.

Arsenal must beat Olympiakos by two clear goals in Athens next week to be sure of qualifying for the knockout stage of the Champions League.