Wenger Confirms Fresh Blow As Key Arsenal Man Picks Up Injury Against Liverpool

Arsene Wenger has confirmed a fresh blow with the news that Nacho Monreal was forced off with an ankle injury during Arsenal’s 3-3 draw with Liverpool last night.

Monreal has started every Premier League game so far this campaign for Arsenal and has been deployed in an unfamiliar central defensive position in recent weeks.

The Spaniard once again lined-up alongside Laurent Koscielny against Liverpool last night but endured a torrid opening forty-five minutes as the Merseysiders dominated the first half at the Emirates.

Monreal was replaced by Shkodran Mustafi at half-time in a change that many assumed was tactical as the fit-again German international is more suited to playing at centre-back.

However, Wenger has now confirmed that Monreal was in fact forced off at the break after picking up an ankle injury. The Gunners boss told Arsenal.com:

on whether Monreal was injured…
Yes, ankle problem.

We’ll have to wait and see how serious the injury is but Monreal must now be a big doubt for Arsenal’s upcoming fixtures against Crystal Palace and West Brom over the coming week.

The news will come as a major blow to Wenger as Monreal had played every minute of Premier League football for Arsenal this season before his withdrawal against Liverpool last night.

However, luckily for the north Londoners they have a ready-made replacement as Mustafi is fit to resume his partnership alongside Koscielny after making his comeback from a thigh injury yesterday.