Arsenal are set to take on Sunderland tomorrow evening, and may have to do so without key duo Alexis Sanchez and Laurent Koscielny.
The Gunners need to win both of their remaining Premier League matches to have any hope of reaching the Champions League places, and first they will have to take all three points from their home tie against the already-relegated Sunderland.
We earned an impressive 4-1 win over Stoke City at the weekend to keep our hopes alive, but that victory may have cost us in the long-run, with Alexis Sanchez now struggling with injury.
The Chilean limped off the pitch in the later part of the game, although scored AFTER asking to be substituted due to injury.
Koscielny managed to complete the 90 minutes, but was struggling with fitness prior to the game, and may not be fully recovered to feature again tomorrow.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Kieran Gibbs were both ruled out of the win over the Potters, and the latter is expected to return to tomorrow, but no such luck for the Ox.
“We have a little bit of a problem with Koscielny but we should have everyone available,” manager Arsene Wenger said.
“Gibbs should be available but Oxlade Chamberlain is out.
“Alexis should have a test today. It didn’t look good but with him he is always so eager.”
Sanchez will fight through any pain to feature, but it would seem silly to play him should there be any risk involved, especially with two crucial matches left to play out following the midweek encounter.
Koscielny should also be left on the sidelines if needed, as we will certainly need him in the side if we are to have any chance of stopping Premier League champions Chelsea in the FA Cup final.
Should we leave Alexis and Koscielny out of the starting line-up just in case? Will Sunderland pose a threat with their care-free attitude?
Pat J