Look Arsenal fans, even if this turns out for the worst, it is still nothing like the injury crisis that Arsene Wenger was having to cope with at this stage last year, or the continuous problems that hit the Gunners midway through the previous season that saw our brilliant start to the season ruined.
However, the last thing that Arsenal fans wanted to hear was that our England international forward Danny Welbeck was struggling with injury. But that is what the boss has revealed to Arsenal.com today, as the squad for the pre-season trip to Singapore to play in the Barclays Asian trophy was announced.
Wenger also confirmed that our Chilean international star Alexis Sanchez would be on holiday until August 3rd after helping his nation to win the Copa America trophy. And that is why the news about Welbeck is so worrying, as he was the clear choice to fill in for Alexis on the left side of a front three.
Wenger said, “Calum [Chambers] has decided to shorten his holiday and come back on Friday. He didn’t play in the under-21s and needs preparations.
“Welbeck isn’t completely recovered from the problem he had [at the end of last season]. He’s not back in full training so he will stay behind.
“Rosicky will stay back because he got a small injury at his last game against Iceland with Czech Republic.
“Ospina is on holiday until July 27 and Alexis is on holiday until August 3rd. Serge Gnabry is on holiday after playing with the under-21s. He’s back on July 20.”
I am not assuming that Welbeck will be ready for the start of the season, even though the manager tried to sound unconcerned, as we have been there before and until a player is back in the squad we must assume they are out. So it looks like Arsenal might be facing Chelsea in the Community Shield and then West Ham and Crystal Palace in the Premier League, without Alexis or Welbeck. Will this be a big problem for us?