London  - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger expressed his anger with Russia on Thursday after midfielder Andrey Arshavin aggravated a groin injury while playing for his country on Wednesday.

Wenger had asked Russia to go easy on Arshavin after he was taken off at half-time in Arsenal's last Premier League match with Manchester United.

Arshavin is now set to miss games against Manchester City and Wigan and the Champions League match with Standard Liege.

"We are upset because he should not have played," Wenger said. "He was not in a condition where he could afford to play 90 minutes.

"We took him off against Manchester United because he was injured already at half-time. He will be out for Saturday, Wednesday and certainly next Saturday."  dpa