When they host Crystal Palace at the Emirates this weekend, Arsenal will return to Premier League action following their PL mid-season break.
Gooners will be hoping that the break has allowed them to recover, recharge, and be prepared to put on a fantastic performance against Palace.
Ahead of the game, the Evening Standard provided a worrying update on Oleksander Zinchenko. The left-back suffered a calf injury before Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat to Fulham on New Year’s Eve. The hope was that he would play when Arsenal met Liverpool in the FA Cup; however, the injury forced him to miss that 2-0 FA Cup loss as well.
And now, the Evening Standard reports that, despite Zinchenko’s determination to be available for the Palace fixture, he is unlikely to start that game as Jakub Kiwior may end up filling in at left back once more.
Most Gooners are not confident with Kiwior at left back, but they may be forced to trust him, with a move for a left back bearing no fruit yet in the transfer window.
Other than Zinchenko, the Evening Standard says Thomas Partey and Fabio Vieira are making strong progress in their recovery from injuries but are still a few weeks away from playing.
Fortunately, Gabriel Jesus, who missed the FA Cup loss to Liverpool due to a knee injury, will be fit to start versus Palace.
That said, Jurrien Timber, who is back training on grass, is still not ready to return and won’t be available to play for quite a lomg time.
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I guess this must be the catastrophic injury list being put forward to excuse our last three results?
Zinchenko will be back for the next game, Partey is back in full training mode, so that just leaves Timber and Viera (?) out long term.
If we hadn’t let Tierney go out on loan, that would have solved the LB problem.
Bad news about Zinchenko, thought he had recovered. Kiwier will have to put in a shift in his absence. That said, the return of Jesus is encouraging and hope we beat Palace, the 3 points are a must at this stage.
Since the left back Zinchenko is looking will not be available for our next Epl home match against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
But I don’t know if Arteta has another left back to start the match beside Jakub Kiwior. Who he has adopted as an option to Zinchenko at left back.
But Kiwior who was found to have come short when conceded an own goal to Liverpool in the Gunners last FA Cup 0-2 game lost at home against the Reds.
But starring for Arsenal again after his Liverpool Cup match fiasco if Arteta start him for the C Palace match. He will bounce back and come very strong for Arsenal in the match. And display a top notch performance in game for his Gunners team in the match,.
Seems Zinchenko and Jesus are injury prone like Partey and Tierney; though the degree of injury is debatable.
Is it time to move on and replace Jesus and Zinchenko as it looks like we are replacing Partey and Tierney?
I think it’s a reasonable question as they are unable to maintain fitness and are out several times each year since their arrival.
For a Club.of our status not to have a natural left back in our squad beggars belief and reflects badly on our Manager and his supporting staff.This glaring weakness has already cost us vital points this season and without the recruitment of a suitable player will continue to do so I suspect.
No worries about Zinchenko and the left back position. The hugely versatile Havertz is available to provide excellent cover. He played there for the all-conquering German national team, remember. He can play‘everywhere’. That’s why we shelled out a cool 65m quid for him last summer!
Maybe we signed Havertz to serve as a utility player. That LB and CF positions will cost us major silverware this season. Havertz can play both but he’s an average player. Kiwior will have to step up or Arteta will have to adopt a 3-4-3 formation. A little unpredictability will not hurt us in the long run. But most importantly we need a ruthless finisher. Its the goals that matter.
We just need everyone to put in a shift…no complains that all we need even saka score your goals kiwor defend well captain be more direct saka can’t be your only option take a look and see rice at the edge of the box calling for some strike..please gunners add up potions and we be fine