Arsene Wenger has questioned the wisdom of staging international friendlies in February after Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini sustained an injury on duty for France.

Flamini picked up a knock on his ankle during the France A team's goalless draw against DR Congo on Tuesday and could now be facing a spell on the sidelines.

The Frenchman is yet to undergo tests to discover the extent of the injury, but with the Champions League knockout phase due to start in a fortnight, Wenger was left seething by the news.

"That is one [round of international friendlies] you could do without," Wenger said.

"I think that if you did a poll of all the clubs involved in the Champions League I wouldn't be surprised if 100 per cent of them said let's get rid of it."

With Arsenal continuing their pursuit of silverware on three fronts, the loss of such an in-form as Flamini could prove critical. Arsenal have already been without one key player for much of the season with an injury picked up on international duty - Robin van Persie - and any more losses are sure to anger Wenger further.

Liverpool are facing a similar situation after Fernando Torres limped out of Spain's game with the senior France side on Wednesday, prompting fears he may have to spend a period on the treatment table.

Mike Hytner / Eurosport