Double Setback For Barcelona

Barcelona will be without Arthur for the next four weeks, while Lionel Messi is doubtful for Sunday’s game at Athletic Bilbao.

Brazilian midfielder Arthur picked up a hamstring injury in last Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Valencia and Barca have now confirmed he will be absent for the rest of February as a result.

It means the 22-year-old will be missing for some key fixtures for the Blaugrana, including the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Lyon on February 13 and the return leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final against Real Madrid at the end of the month.

There are also concerns he may miss out on the second La Liga Clasico of the season, which takes place at the start of March. Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde will hope the former Gremio man can make a quick recovery and the same goes for Messi, who has been troubled by a right leg issue recently.

The Argentine talisman started on the bench in Wednesday’s Copa del Rey first leg against Real and sat out training on Friday as a precaution ahead of Sunday’s trip to the Basque region to face Bilbao.

With the trip to Lyon coming up next week, Valverde may decide against risking Messi at San Mames in the hope he’ll be fresh for next week’s Champions League encounter.