Arsenal are in real trouble and the season has barely begun. Defensively the squad is so thin it is unbelievable, the loss to Aston Villa took care of that with at least two more fatalities and a red card.
The Gunners now travel to Turkey to face Fenerbahce in the Champions League Qualifier before hosting them six days later, with a trip to Craven Cottage sandwiched between the European ties on Saturday.
Arsene Wenger has confirmed there are a host of injuries to the likes of Sagna, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and potentially Kieran Gibbs, all certainly set to remain in London. Rosicky and Ramsey are also doubts after the Gunners boss revealed the latest team news, while Wilshere should be eased into action but it seems Arsenal have little choice.
We can expect to see Theo Walcott start once again providing his knock to the knee was not too serious while Olivier Giroud will lead the line. Lukas Podolski will almost certainly start on the left as the German international barely managed a couple of minutes on Saturday. Santi Cazorla will also return to the lineup, but it’s behind him that will be stretching our squad thin.
Potential lineup:
Szczesny
Yennaris Mertesacker (c) Koscielny Jenkinson
Wilshere Ramsey
Cazorla
Walcott Podolski
Giroud
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It is tough to choose a defender to replace Gibbs. Miquel was sent out on loan (which was silly considering how thin the squad was with Vermaelen’s injury) while Monreal is still another week away from returning.
Jenkinson may have to do a job on the left similarly to Sagna on Saturday with one of Arsenal’s youngsters Nico Yennaris introduced on the right.
Hopefully Ramsey and Wilshere are ok to start, otherwise Wenger may have to turn to the inexperienced Emmanuel Frimpong who was among the substitutes against Villa. With no other defensive minded midfielders around Wenger may have no choice but to use the newly capped Ghanian international who has returned from a lengthy layoff.
We will have a clearer outlook on the probable lineup when Wenger reveals the extent of any injuries. Fingers crossed The Ox’s injury is not as bad as feared, Sagna’s horrible landing on his neck is nothing too serious and Gibbs’ deep cut is able to be stitched and bandaged up. However all three will miss the plane to Turkey.
What are your thoughts Gooners? Comment below..
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