Arsenal will play host to Watford in the Premier League this weekend, and have almost the entire squad available for action.
Granit Xhaka is the only confirmed absentee at present having succumbed to a knee injury at the end of September. He appears to have had a setback, with previous reports initially expecting him to be missing for around three months, but the latest update claims new hope is that he will return to full training until January.
Kieran Tierney is the only other player who is currently touch and go. The defender suffered some bruising during the tough battle with Crystal Palace a couple of weeks back, and Arsenal.com confirms that they will continue to assess his situation ahead of the next fixture.
The good news is that he returned to training with his team-mates today however, as confirmed by Charles Watts.
Kieran Tierney was back training with the squad today at Colney.
— Charles Watts (@charles_watts) November 4, 2021
With Nuno Tavares in form deputising in the Scotland international’s place, I wouldn’t be worrying about looking to change the team regardless of the result of Tierney’s tests, but it would still be good to see him return to the squad before the international break, as we could need him with some tough fixtures ahead.
Should Tavares keep his spot in the team this weekend regardless of Tierney’s availability?
Patrick
This is fantasic news.
Credit where credit is due.
The much malgned medical crew must be doing a great job.
Maybe having no European football means injured players not playing on injury so often?
I was very disheartened to hear about the Xhaka having a bit of a setback, in that I will have to have a total rethink about the very notion of God answering one’s prayers
Whose prayer
being facetious of course by suggesting that I had wished for an extended layoff but never thought my prayers would be answered…I can only assume you understood my original intentions but can now see how it might have been a tad confusing
I wouldnt change a winning combination and would continue to play Tavers instead of Tierney. However, give some minutes to Tierney in the second half to allow him to get game time and come back into playing regularly. The competition between Tavares and Tierney is stiff which is only good for the team.
Don’t think it would send a good message to Tavares if he was dropped immediately for the return of a half-fit Tierney. However, if the coach believes Tierney is best for the team then great. Also, I must admit am relieved to hear Xhaka is out till January. He should not rush his recovery, maybe even target a next season return. 😈
“He should not rush his recovery, maybe even target a next season return. ” – I am howling 🤣. I fully second this opinion.
On Tavares, it’s a tricky one. He’s shown great form and contributes defensively. Dropping him would leave a sour taste in everyone’s mouths.
QD yes, a next season return for sure! And far more importantly, ELSEWHERE!
I wish Xhaka a speedy recovery but I also wish that he doesn’t come back into the team.
No surprise we’ve been better going forward and defensively with him out the team….not to mention we actually look mildly consistent now.
I think Tavares merits keeping his place. I agree about giving Tierney minutes to help boost his fitness, but as he hasn’t played, replacing Tavares who is playing well would be a mistake IMO!