Arsenal Injury blows…..again

Written by Basil James.

As the league moves into its second week, Arsenal has been kicked in the crotch by a familiar nemesis- injuries. The latest players to find a place on the surgeon’s table has been two midfielders who could potentially have played a huge role in this season’s campaign- Samir Nasri and Emmanuel Frimpong.

Samir Nasri has been Arsenal’s linchpin in midfield for the past two seasons, scoring and setting up goals as well as helping out in the defence. Nasri’s importance to the Arsenal squad cannot be overstated, despite the Frenchman’s tendency to be slightly on the inconsistent side. Nasri is an anchor in the midfield that allows players like Fabregas and Arshavin to display their creativity and go forward relentlessly.

Nasri is scheduled to be out for a month with a knee problem. The Arsenal squad already nurses a few injuries and the Nasri situation further quagmires the Gunners. Nasri underwent a knee surgery following a meniscal injury and will be out of action for at least a month.

Meanwhile, the young Emmanuel Frimpong is set to miss up to nine months following a ligament rupture in his knee. The 18 year old midfielder damaged his cruciate ligament on Wednesday and is expected to miss most of the current season. Frimpong had a major presence in Arsenal’s pre-season games though he did not make the cut to face Liverpool in Arsenal’s first league match last week.

Frimpong suffered the injury in a reserves’ game in Dublin, where the team is competing in a tournament. The highly rated youngster was born in Ghana but has represented England in various youth levels. The defensive midfielder would have served as a quite good cover for Alex Song, who too is injured. Song is expected to be fit for the game against Blackpool though question marks do linger about his fitness.

Arsenal desperately missed Fabregas in the match against Liverpool and would be given a huge boost if Robin van Persie too did not start, though he came on as a late substitute for Diaby.

The Arsenal squad is in a slight disarray due to injuries and Wenger is once again unable to assemble a full strength squad in a premier league match. After the draw in the first match, Arsenal desperately need to rain on the Blackpool parade if they are to put some pressure on the traditional rivals Chelsea and United, who coasted to easy victories last week.

Let us hope the Gunners fire on all cylinders.