This is usually the time of year when Arsenal have a long list of injuries and Arsene Wenger gets to make full use of his squad, but for a change the list seems to be getting smaller. The best news of the day is the return of Mustafi in time to face Crystal Palace on Sunday. Wenger stated yesterday: “Shkodran is back in normal training and he will be back in the squad.”
It was revealed yesterday that Theo Walcott’s “small” injury, is not quite so small and he will miss the next two games at least. All Wenger had to say about that was “Theo Walcott will still be short.”, but maybe he was just talking about his height?
Le Prof did seem to indicate that Danny Welbeck could be ready to replace the winger in the squad though, as he also said: “Danny Welbeck is doing well in training, so we have plenty of options.” But there is also a chance that the Ox could be available as after as Wenger asserted: “Alex looks like he could join in normal training on Saturday.”
In fact the only bit of bad news from the narrow win over West Brom is that we have lost Gibbs as an option at left back, although as usual Le Prof doesn’t think it is serious. “From the last game, I think we lose Kieran Gibbs. It’s not big damage to his knee but he has inflammation and I don’t think he will be available. On Wednesday he had a scan, but it just showed inflammation. Hopefully it’s a short-term injury.”
Of course we already know that our captain Per Mertesacker is also close to rejoining the squad, but Mustafi’s comeback will probably keep him on the bench for a while, and the only real long term injury we have is with Santi Cazorla while we wait patiently for him to recover from his ankle operation. Get well soon Santi!
Matthieu Debuchy should be back in a couple of weeks but who cares. He needs to go out on loan as soon as, if only to stop him moaning!
Although it’s not an injury we must also note that Mohammed Elneny will be off to Africa after Sunday’s game and will not be available for at least a month….
So we are looking in fine shape for the second half of the season. Long may it continue!
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Mustafi back in the squad but will he start?
We have 5 clean sheets out of the 18 games we’ve played while Chelsea have 10 clean sheets so it’s clear as day why we are 9 points behind the leaders
Well said that is absolutely the biggest reason. Besides this past week the 4 in a row 1-0 wins have been their key. I have a feeling there will be draws in their future.
Now that’s the truth right there.
Man City, Everton, Spurs, Liverpool. In all 4 matches we scored the first goal, but ended losing 11 points.
Thanks Mr. Shad Forsythe, you are the real MVP!!!
Each time Theo and Ox start showing some signs of improvement in their game they get these knocks. Shame really.
Most players who have become WC mainly by pure hard work and effort and not natural talent are usually fit. Wishing them all the best as the potential is there.
Slightly off topic but I was just wondering with all the little knocks we get with players out for 2 or 3 games we never hear that the truly great world class players like Messi, Ronaldo, Suarez get these little injuries. I know they must miss some games but they do seem to play every games without picking up these niggling injuries.