Arsenal
Cazorla & Arteta Join Seven-Man List Of Doubts For Spurs Game
Arsene Wenger has been speaking at his weekly press conference ahead of Saturdays north London derby and claims he has a long list of injury doubts for the game
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been speaking at his weekly press conference ahead of Saturday’s north London derby and claims he has a long list of injury doubts for the game.
As reported on Thursday, Wojciech Szczesny, Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are all facing late fitness tests. Szczesny hasn’t played for over six weeks due to an ankle injury but is expected to be recalled in place of Vito Mannone to face Spurs.
Walcott and Chamberlain both missed England’s friendly with Sweden on Wednesday with buttock and hip injuries. While Chamberlain is expected to be fit after making a substitute appearance against Fulham last week, there is a slight doubt over Walcott after he was forced off in that game and both will be assessed on Friday afternoon.
However, Wenger has also revealed that Bacary Sagna, Santi Cazorla, Mikle Arteta and Oliver Giroud will face tests today to make it a busy afternoon for the doctors at the clubs training ground.
Cazorla only arrived back in London late on Thursday night after his long trip to Panama with the Spain squad and will be assessed for fatigue, Arteta has a hip problem while Giroud picked up hamstring and calf injuries while away with France. Wenger said:
“Apart from long-term injuries I get a bit confused because we have so many players who come back with injuries or small injuries. We need to see how they are today.
“Cazorla only landed last night and we will see how he is this morning (Friday). Szczesny, Sagna, Walcott, Chamberlain, Arteta, Giroud – there are so many – I think I will need a few doctors this morning.
“Arteta has a little hip problem and Giroud has come back with a hamstring and calf problem.”
Wenger is quoted as saying by talkSPORT.
Arsenal are already without Kieran Gibbs, Gervinho, Tomas Rosicky, Lukasz Fabianski and Abou Diaby so Wenger could be facing something of an injury crisis if any of the above are ruled out.
However, the Frenchman is known for his ‘poker tactics’ and likes to give very little away so don’t be surprised if Szczesny, Sagna, Cazorla, Arteta, Walcott, Chamberlain and Giroud all started on Saturday lunchtime!
What would be your starting line-up for the game, if all the above are passed fit? Get involved in the comments section.
