Van Persie injured his knee in scoring Arsenal's equaliser against Birmingham

Arsenal will be without Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott for their Champions League last-16 second leg match at Barcelona on 8 March.

Van Persie hurt his knee in Sunday's Carling Cup final loss to Birmingham and is out for three weeks, while Walcott has a sprained ankle.

The loss of the striker and winger damages Arsenal's chances of defending their 2-1 lead at the Nou Camp.

But Arsenal say it is "possible" Cesc Fabregas (hamstring) will play.

The Spaniard went off after 14 minutes of last week's 1-0 victory over Stoke and Gunners boss Arsene Wenger said his captain would miss "one or two games".

Fabregas was not part of the squad beaten by Birmingham and will not feature against Leyton Orient in the FA Cup fifth-round replay on Wednesday or Sunderland in the Premier League three days later.

A broken leg prevented the 23-year-old from playing in Arsenal's Champions League quarter-final second leg against Barca - his former club - last season, when the Londoners lost 4-1 on the night and 6-3 on aggregate.

But this time round Fabregas appears set to feature at the Nou Camp, with Wenger saying: "Cesc is looking possible. He is making quick and good progress. It is possible."

The news on injury-plagued Van Persie is far less promising.

An ankle problem meant the Dutchman was another who missed the second leg against Pep Guardiola's side in 2010 - and he has been ruled out once again.

The 27-year-old damaged his knee in the process of scoring Arsenal's 39th-minute equaliser against Birmingham.

He managed to play on but was replaced by Nicklas Bendtner after 69 minutes and Wenger fears the Netherlands international could be facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Van Persie has scored 13 goals in his last 11 games - including Arsenal's equaliser against Barca in the first leg - and his absence could cost Arsenal dear as they chase the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League trophies.

"Unfortunately, we had bad news on the scan and he will be out for the next three weeks for sure," stated Wenger.

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

If Van Persie does sit out three weeks, Arsenal will be without him for the Leyton Orient, Sunderland and Barca games as well as a possible FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester United on 12 March and the Premier League trip to West Brom on 19 March.

Like Fabregas, Walcott was injured during the Stoke match, coming off after 71 minutes having turned his left ankle.

"He is out [of Barcelona]," added Wenger. "We said from the day he got the injury against Stoke you could count three weeks."

Meanwhile, midfielder Xavi has returned to the Barca squad for Wednesday's trip to Valencia following a calf muscle injury.

The World Cup winner missed last weekend's win at Real Mallorca but has been named in the 18-man party along with right-back Dani Alves, who returns from suspension.

But centre-back Carles Puyol and goalkeeper Victor Valdes remain sidelined, while coach Guardiola could miss the match with a back problem.

A decision on whether he travels with the team will be taken before the Catalans head south on Wednesday morning.

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