Arsenal have suffered an injury blow with forward Robin van Persie failing to take the field after the half time interval due to a thigh problem, in the Champions League quarter-finals first leg against Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night.

The Dutchman had played an important part in the Gunners opening goal as he made a fine cross for Emmanuel Adebayor to head home at the halfway stage in the opening period. The Reds had soon equalised through Dirk Kuyt.

Van Persie’s season has been marred by injuries and he had only recently come back after a thigh problem, which had succeeded knee and muscle problems.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger sent on teenage forward Theo Walcott as the replacement for the start of the second period.

Arsenal have tough three games coming up that include a Premiership clash against Liverpool and Manchester United on either side of the Champions League away leg at Anfield.