Arsene Wenger won’t firm up his squad for Sunday’s North London derby until the very last minute with Theo Walcott, Gervinho and Laurent Koscileny all facing late fitness tests. Johan Djourou, however, will miss the match having not recovered from his hamstring problem.
In better news both Yossi Benayoun and Sebastian Squillaci will be back in full training in the next two days.
Speaking to Arsenal.com, Wenger gave the latest update on the state of his squad:
“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 [Vermaelen, Wilshere, Diaby] you know about. There were no other injures from the game against Olympiacos on Wednesday night.”
Robin van Persie IS fit. (Just to clarify AGAIN for those wo got confused on Twitter earlier)
How sure are we that Squillaci being available is actually good news?
Heh. Mischief at work by Mr Allen. Talk about light blue touchpaper and retreat…
Blogs, do we have any idea when the verminator is due back?
After the international break so back in training halfway through next month.
Shame about Koscielny. Sunday sounds too early for him & I think we need Song’s experience in the midfield
Nasi and Feb left belatedly to throw Wenger’s transfer plan into overdrive. Now the latest that RVp and a host of others are being linked to other reams. Wenger said you cannot be a big club if you sell and continue to sell your best players. These were his words. If the gunners don’t win any trophy this season,his words could come back to haunt him.Btw if the gunners wish to be considered a genuine big team they have to make a statement of intent by paying these guys the market rate or sell them. Then the ES should not… Read more »
The Emirates Stadium is absolutely vital to the Arsenal staying competitive. I can’t believe I’ve heard that very opinion from another fellow Gooner today. It ensures Arsenal’s standing among the big clubs. Once this minor blip in form is overcome and the club comes to terms with rivals like City’s(and the like clubs) spending prowess, I am quite sure we will see the benefits of our prudence. We should prepare to be patient as I feel its going to be a long season, but I am willing to trust Arsene and Gazidis to bring us out of this rut.
Seriously @Wolfgang, what are u on? How did ur comment fit with the article above? Shocking!
There’s a chance that suggesting the emirates shouldn’t have been built is the stupidest fucking thing i’ve ever read on here. And i’ve read (and probably posted myself!) some stupid fucking things on here. Do me a favour!
Paul Scholes isn’t a cunt.
How’s that compare?
Ha! Well the fact we’re comparing it to that statement says it all mate!
[…] onto pre-Sp*rs injury news and it’s not particularly great regarding the three who missed Wednesday’s game. […]
Sad to say this, but of the three taking late fitness tests, the biggest boost would be the inclusion of Gervinho, then Kos, then Theo. Theo is the least important to our team right now – I know that sounds off, but he is punching well below his weight. Gervinho, on the other hand, looks dangerous every time he gets the ball. He runs at defenses and makes things happen. He doesn’t quite have the ball control yet, but he will learn. Maybe it’s the glare from his forehead which distracts defenders – whatever it is, he has some kind… Read more »
Disagree. The partnership between Robin and Theo is vital to us right now. Last weeks game was the best I’ve seen Theo play in a while. Gervinho just looks dangerous. I don’t think we’ve really seen him at his best yet.
I realise its off tangent but Mr Blog I believe the reason the boards taking a quiet turn in relation to posts has nothing to do with our recent winning streak. For me at least its the unwarranted vitriolic negativity still aimed at some players. Heck even those players who have been poor for us don’t deserve some of the consistant dribble they’ve been getting.
[…] Walcott and Gervinho are set for late test as well. For Walcott’s place, Oxlade-Chamberlain has clamoured for a starting place against the scrums, The OX may have made an impression in the match against Olympiakos and Shrewsbury, but throwing him into a high pressure game might not be the best idea. Let’s all not forget that the OX was still playing in the League One this time last year. […]
Latest news is that Kos and Djourou are definitely out, and that Vermaelen will be out one or two additional weeks after the international break. Benyaoun is back (so he’ll probably play) and Gervinho and Walcott face late fitness tests.
We might have to sell Vermaelen in August. I love him, but if he never ever plays, we might have to cut our losses. We should then spend whatever it takes on Hummels and Gotze (should probably get them anyway). BvB’s poor domestic and European form is definitely a blessing.
come on RVP!!
Hi would you be kind to join my group http://www.stickam.com/group/fitnessandhealth please…… I needed more members in it so there will be more conversation about health and fitness. Registration is actually free. It is like a chatroom. You may share your stuff about health and fitness there. I hope to see you there
pretty sure you’re not allowed to do this…lol
[…] onto pre-Sp*rs injury news and it’s not particularly great regarding the three who missed Wednesday’s game. […]