Arsene Wenger has admitted that the African Cup of Nations could prove to be a headache in January with both Gervinho and Marouane Chamakh set to play for their respective nations in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
The attacking duo could be called up at the start of the New Year for pre-tournament training camps and with the Final scheduled for February 12th it is possible, if either man is successful, that they won’t be back at Arsenal until the middle of that month.
While playing surfaces and fatigue are obvious worries, it is also hard to discount other off field distractions, especially following the horrific attack on the Togo team bus which resulted in casualties and a huge political storm.
Speaking yesterday Wenger spoke of his concerns: “You can lose the players two weeks before the competition starts and sometimes they come back really exhausted.
“The pitches have improved in Africa but sometimes the weather conditions are completely different. When they come back, they look really tired. I always give them extra time off when they come back.
“Chamakh is going for Morocco, Gervino is going, the only guy who stays who should have gone is Song. It’s difficult to understand that Cameroon doesn’t qualify but he doesn’t go.”
Arsene has spoken repeatedly about having a squad large enough to cope without both men. However, you can’t help but think having only Ju Young Park as back-up to Robin van Persie is something of a risk. Whether the boss decides to draft in a short-term replacement just in case remains to be seen.
Arseblog News knows what you’re thinking…you’re thinking Thierry aren’t you…
It will be time for AOC/Miyaichi and Park to step up.
And Arshavin. Much as Gervinho and Walcott are the pick of our wingers, we arn’t massivley tight on talent in the position.
If those players want to be in contention, they know what they gotta do.
Wenger’s been enquiring about wingers as well. That Reus looks an absolute player, cost more than a few pennies from ze germans though.
Ryo is injured. He won’t be back so soon.
When what how?
Thierry Henry, just saying the name makes me pop an erecti-…HGNNNGGHHH
That’s the first time that’s happened , I swear!
I WISH! It would ruin his legacy though if he came back and then wasn’t raping defences like he always did for us as he’s not the player he once was…but damn imagine if we switched to a 4-2-2 and played RVP AND TH14 UPFRONT!!!
Right, returning to reality.
4-2-2? There good but could we afford to field a team 2 men short?…..course we could!!
Who honestly gave this a negative mark? I see nothing negative other than making fun of the post above…
Can somebody give me a link to watch Arsenal game- stuck in work
This…come on peeps
I think he’d bring Big Nick back before TH
“Arseblog News knows what you’re thinking…you’re thinking Thierry aren’t you…”
You see right through me…
I would have Thierry back even if it’s just to see him warm-up and come on for 5 minutes of a game. Oh but a man can dream…
After the Fullham game today, it is quite a uneasy thought that we are without Gervinho for a month.
I think the boss should give AOC a shot.
Gervinho and Chamakh of Cote D’ivore and Morocco I think…
Whew…reading the headline, I thought Zhervinyu and Chamakh managed to get injured in their cameo appearances against Fulham.