Arsenal take on Everton at Goodison Park today and are missing a portion of our squad, but who is expected to be out for the coming weeks?
Arsene Wenger confirmed that Shkodran Mustafi is expected to be out until January at the earliest, which looks likely to see Gabriel returned to his central role, with Hector Bellerin back in the manager’s plans following his own injury.
Aaron Ramsey missed the weekend’s encounter with Stoke and remains sidelined, but his return is not expected to be delayed too much further, although a date for his return is hard to judge with his hamstring.
Santi Cazorla, Per Mertesacker and Danny Welbeck are still expected to be available in the coming weeks, although none are ready to play a part tonight, and more news is expected to in the next week or so.
Lucas Perez and Olivier Giroud are both believed to be available, having both recovered from knocks over the past couple of weeks, and could both be crucial with the busy winter schedule coming up.
Mathieu Debuchy is still sidelined however, and Gabriel will most likely remain as our back-up to Bellerin, while Rob Holding remains in the squad as cover centrally.
Chuba Akpom is also expected to be fit to return in January, but his importance to our first-team at present is limited.
Is Cazorla’s absence going to be a telling factor in tonight’s trip to Everton? Do we have a big enough squad to get through the Christmas period if those remaining on the sidelines were to stay out?
Pat J
I want Cazorla back healthy ASAP as he is our best b2b CM.
However, Xhaka is doing a good job and Cazorla’s absence is not as bad as last season. Last season Cazorla’s absence was fatal.
As much as I criticise Wenger, he did good by signing Xhaka (very important signing)
So I have belief in Coquelin and Xhaka
(not so much in Ramsey and Eleney unfortunately)
I really don’t understand why Chuba Akpom should have a limited role. Surely his talent is recognized. I once thought he was arrogant (not a bad trait for a striker) but I was wrong.
I do realize there is a line ahead of him.
Is Akpom still injured though? I also thought we would have seen a bit of him at this point in his Arsenal career, but unless we have a major injury crisis upfront, we won’t see him this season, and maybe never again. I would say he’s sixth choice right now behind: Alexis, Giroud, Perez, Welbeck, and Walcott, for that striker’s position. I would pick him ahead of Welbeck, and Walcott for that position, but Wenger will definitely not, barring injuries.