It now looks certain that the Arsenal vice-captain Per Mertesacker will have to sit out the next game for the Gunners. But even though our next match is the crucial top of the table Premier League clash with Chelsea, I still do not think that we need to worry too much about the loss of the German with a minor ankle problem, as reported by The Mirror.
Arsene Wenger really needs his players to give him a first win over Jose Mourinho, for the sake of confidence and removing any mental block that might be there as well as keeping Arsenal´s slim title hopes for this season alive. But I don´t think the loss of Mertesacker will be a big factor in this game and he should be fit again after this weekend..
For one thing I expect Chelsea to play a rear guard action while trying to break away and hit us on the counter attack. That will probably see our defenders quite high up the pitch and we all know that this sometimes leaves our BSG, Big Slow German, at risk of being exposed by the pace of players like Eden Hazard.
For another, it looks like the striker most likely to be fit for the visitors will be Loic Remy. The Frenchman may be talented and fast but he does not have the aerial ability and physical prowess of Drogba and Costa, against whom Mertesacker´s skills would have been most helpful.
Our new Brazilian centre back Gabriel has already proved himself to be a good signing and his extra pace could be vital on Sunday. Do you think he might even have got the nod from Wenger anyway?