With No Van Persie and Asharvin, Will Arsenal Struggle Against Manchester?

Arsenal have been dealt a rather big blow to their Champions League hopes with the news that the Gunners will be without top scorer Robin van Persie for their semi final encounter with rivals Manchester United.

Van Persie has easily been Arsene Wenger's top performer this season with 17 goals and a handful of assists to go with them.

The Dutchman is out with a niggling groin injury but should be set for the second leg against United.

But as most people know, it is crucial to take the upper hand in the first leg and against a team like Manchester, Arsenal will want to get as much momentum as possible going into the second leg.

Van Persie gives the Arsenal attack flare and elegance. The striker also performs beautifully from set pieces with his stunning left foot, able to reach almost any part of the field.

There is also the fact that Arsenal are unable to use midfield magician Andrei Asharvin. The Russian midfielder, who came to the Gunners from Russian side Zenit St. Petersburg in February, is unable to play in the Champions League due to his arrival in January.

Asharvin, who scored four goals in Arsenal's most recent match against Liverpool, is one of Arsenals best attacking options and would be more than useful down the left hand side.

Arsenal will be without two of their best attackers for the first leg against Alex Ferguson's Manchester United. The first leg is at Old Trafford, which is a hard enough challenge with their two best attackers.

Will Arsenal struggle in attack with out the likes of Robin van Persie and Andrei Asharvin, or will their defence and attack prevail and Arsenal will take an unlikely lead into the second leg?