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!
Admin