Arsenal have been struck with injuries in recent weeks, although Wenger is slowly beginning to get options back in the squad. The likes of Xhaka, Elneny and Welbeck have all returned to the side in recent weeks, but it’s the latter who has been ruled out for the Gunners, for their upcoming game.
Welbeck has struggled massively with injury problems since his move to Arsenal from Manchester United, with hamstring and knee issues being the bulk of his concerns. It’s frustrating to hear that once again Welbeck is ruled out of the Arsenal squad, but thankfully this time it’s more precautionary than anything.
Usually Arsene Wenger reveals the injury update in his weekly pre-match press conference, but it is Welbeck himself who announced the news that he wouldn’t be taking part against Sutton.
Welbeck stated: “Glad to get 70 minutes today to build up my match fitness. Plastic pitch at Sutton isn’t the best idea at the moment.”
Welbeck, who only returned from a knee injury last month, was named in the Gunners Under 23s game against Leicester today. It came as a shock that he was named in the Under 23s squad, especially since he hadn’t had much of a role against Bayern Munich. However, as Welbeck states, the plastic pitch that Sutton play on may not be the best idea for him to come back to, especially having suffered with his latest knee injury for almost an entire year.
It will be disappointing not to see Welbeck out on the pitch against Sutton, because it would’ve been a real opportunity for the striker to get some minutes for the side and impress in a team where not all the big stars will be playing. With Welbeck therefore ruled out, it means that Wenger may decide to include another first team big name to play against the non-league side. If Lucas Perez is fit to play, I’d like to see him get a full 90 minutes on the pitch tomorrow evening.
By AH
Wenger starts Lucas in FA Cup
Other competitions, not so much, unfortunately
I think we should start Alexis, just to get him some goals
He needs a smile
I would start
F: Lucas, Walcott, and Alexis
CM: Eleney, Adelaide and Ozil
D: Gabs, Mert, Mustafi, Gibbs
GK: Martinez
Replace Alexis with chambo and replace with iwobi
Can’t believe 3G pitches are not banned already. i know that in Holland they rip them all apart (especially pitches where children are training) due to the multiple health concerns. The Health Minister requested a new study of the rubber crumb added over the sand in the pitch as it included only 7 adult footballers at the time. FIFA themselves issued recently a directive to invest 4 billion in natural playing surfaces.
And there was meeee, thinking that Sutton had some bumpy cabbage patched pitch ??
Wenger is already moaning about the plastic pitch, (there’s nothing like getting your excuses in,nice and early) he had the players training indoors for this game, yet he still moaned that it wasn’t enough preparation for Sutton’s pitch, who also water it down before matches ?
Oh well,At least our lads won’t suffer any carpet burns, if they get Forked Over! ?
Type of field is not going to be an excuse if we lose this game. period. However!
It does makes sense for Welbeck to play on natural pitch. Have you ever played on such a pitch? Or trying a tackle. I have played on both rubber and cork filled surfaces and they are almost similar. I assume Sutton is having rubber compound. They are playing there every day, obviously they will be literally at home on this surface. Arsenal must go, win and then wait another hundred years to play on a 3G pitch. Is just one off. Personally I pity any team playing intensive, competitive football on an artificial pitch. And that includes Sutton, not like they play any competitive football anyway.
@Budd
Thats why they preferred to play on their home turf…
Give Giroud a start. Or is he injured?