Shaqiri loss is a blow ahead of Arsenal: Guardiola

Munich: Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola has admitted injury to both left-wingers Xherdan Shaqiri and Franck Ribery is a blow to the holders ahead of their Champions League clash at Arsenal.

The European champions head to London for Wednesday`s showdown against the Gunners in the last 16, first-leg clash without both first-choice Ribery and his backup Shaqiri, who tore his right thigh after scoring two goals in Saturday`s 4-0 rout of Freiburg. Ribery had already been ruled out of the away match at Arsenal after surgery to repair a burst blood vessel in his buttocks and Shaqiri had been poised to replace him against the Gunners. "It is a pity for him," said Guardiola, with the 22-year-old Swiss international expected to miss at least the next three weeks. "He can play on the wing or come inside. He is dynamic and instinctly knows where the goal is. "He`s an important player for me." Guardiola will have to reshuffle his starting line-up with either Germany midfielder Thomas Mueller or Netherlands star Arjen Robben an option to switch over from the right wing.