Arsenal Injury Latest & RVP Won’t Be Leaving For City….

The most surprising news from Arsenal’s point of view on the back of their win against Greek side Olympiacos on Wednesday was probably the fact that the team suffered no injuries whatsoever. It has been a rare occasion this season and in general throughout the past year, when Arsenal have come through a match without any bad news on the injury front, but they have finally achieved it.

In fact, Arsene Wenger only had good news ahead of his sides cash against rivals Tottenham this Sunday. He revealed that Yossi Benayoun and Sebastian Squillaci will be back in training this week-end after injuries, with the Israeli midfielder a possibility to play a part this week-end. Theo Walcott, Gervinho and Laurent Koscielny will all be “late decisions.” Wenger said:

“Benayoun and Squillaci will be back in normal training on Friday or Saturday. Squillaci has been out for a long time so he won’t be fully match fit. Benayoun has more match fitness.” 

“Walcott, Gervinho and Koscielny will all be late tests and very late decisions. Saturday or even Sunday morning. Walcott looks the most likely to have a chance. Koscielny maybe less. He is recovering well but the game may come too soon.”

“Djourou is out. The other injuries you know about. There were no other injures from the game against Olympiacos on Wednesday night.”

A win, or any positive result against Tottenham on Sunday will be a very large boost to Arsenal’s season for both the players and the fans who have suffered some poor displays so far this season. It would also see pressure lifted from Wenger who has also come under mass public scrutiny of late.

The season does look to be getting better for Arsenal, with Robin van Persie’s 99th and 100th goals highlighting the benefits of Wenger’s questioned transfer policy. However, these landmark goals for the Dutchman. who cost Arsenal £2.5 million around 7 years ago may be interrupted by the apparent interest from Manchester City in signing Wenger’s talisman.

Rumours had been circulating at the start of the week when van Persie stalled in contract negotiations with Arsenal, and fuel has been added to the fire thanks to Caros Tevez’s disgraceful refusal to play for City mid-week in the Champions League. A summer raid for Arsenal’s left footed striker is now said to be on the cards for City in what would be an incomprehensibly big blow to Arsenal football club yet again after the loss of Nasri, Fabregas and Clichy this summer.

Arsenal fans need not be too depressed or pessimistic about van Persie’s future however, because as I wrote earlier in the week, I find it unlikely that a man who has been at the club for so long and worked his way into a very short list of Arsenal legends to have reached the 100 goal mark would leave at this stage of his career. In any case, Arsenal will not need to sell next summer, with the Dutchman’s contract expiring in 2013, so he has a good few Arsenal years left in him yet.

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