I am sensing quite a bit of nerves and pessimism around Arsenal fans at the moment. After just two points from the last three Premier League games and with an FA cup 4th round to play just days before the next EPL game against a Southampton side with no game this weekend and that inflicted our biggest defeat of the season so far, it is hardly surprising that we are all a bit concerned about messing up the title race.
So the latest Arsenal injury update given by Arsene Wenger via the club’s official website is a massive boost to our confidence and our chances of being crowned champions. From a few weeks ago when the Gunners were missing a large number of players and key members of the first team at that, the manager has revealed that the injury list is down to just two.
They are Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla and they are both some time away from a comeback, while Danny Welbeck is not ready to play yet even though he is back in training. But with everyone else fit to feature to some extent, Wenger’s options are much greater and so he can rotate for the cup and league games while being able to field two strong sides.
The Frenchman revealed, “Mertesacker is out because of the red card, and everybody else is available, apart from Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla. After that it is just a question of selection and decision-making, that is the key.
“Jack and Santi are progressing well but they are at least a few weeks away. But these two apart, it is just about competitiveness and match fitness.
“Danny Welbeck is not completely ready but he is not far. He needs a game or two because he’s been out since last April. The Stoke [under-21] game is too soon because he only had one session with the team, and that is too short.
“Francis is available to play now because he has passed two weeks of full training. Tomas is also available for selection.”
Arsenal will even have Mertesacker available to face the Saints as he will serve his one game ban against Burnley. So has this injury news just massively increased the chances of Arsenal lifting the Premier League trophy and the FA cup in May?