Arsene Wenger has revealed that Hector Bellerin will be fit for the trip to the Hawthorns on Saturday, however, midfield duo Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Aaron Ramsey remain sidelined.
The Spanish right-back missed the Gunners last two outings against Sp*rs and Bayern Munich with a groin problem, but appears to have recovered during the two-week Interlull.
Chamberlain and Ramsey, both suffering from hamstring problems picked up in October, had been tipped to face West Brom but will not be risked.
“Ramsey should be available on Monday, and maybe Chamberlain as well,” said Wenger.
Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere, Danny Welbeck and Tomas Rosicky, are still out.
“Walcott is doing well, he could be a bit ahead of schedule but still you count a few weeks more while Rosicky, Wilshere, Welbeck will be later.”
And Diaby?
I feel so sorry for Diaby. I just checked and he hasn’t even played 1 game for Marseille this season. He’s 29 now, it’s so sad what’s happened to his career.
He was so, so talented, the closest thing to Vieira, although a slightly different player. If it hadn’t been for injuries he would easily have been one of the best midfielders in the league, no doubt.
I remember watching Diaby play for France u19 in the euro championships held in Belfast in 2005. He was immense at that level. I ended going to every France game just to watch him. I remember wondering if Arsenal were aware of him. As it was like watching Vieira mark II. He joined Arsenal the following year. So sad that because of injury, he didnt live up to his potential.
I hate to say this but this verges on pure – albeit understandable – revisionism. We will always think of this guy through the prism of his desperate bad luck with injuries, and it makes sense that we want to recall his potental. In terms of attributes and talent Diaby had nearly everything, granted. But in terms of footballing brain and decision-making, not so much. His portfolio of really outstanding performances for us just doesn’t live up to that billing. There’s the outstanding display at Liverpool in 2012, and beyond that nothing that could really be cited as evidence that… Read more »
Good news on Hector, we need him. Shame on Aaron in particular, hope he is back soon.
I think Joel can still do a job on the right in Aaron’s absence.
Tricky fixture; we need to stay patient and not get hit on the counter or from a set piece against Pulis’ team. I’ll take a 1-0 away win although a first half Man U-like explosion will be much better for my nerves.
Another day in the life of a Gooner.
On the plus side we’ll have a field full of LANS come the New Year, just in time for another transfer window in the life of a Gooner.
On the plus side, it’ll be nice to have gotten through this injury crisis far better than the February crisis’ of recent seasons, and hopefully a squad of fresh players will last that tough period better. Set up for a good title push.
Phew!
No rest for Alexis for some more time
If we can keep up with Man City through xmas and be within touching distance in Jan, our host of LANS will give us the best chance in years to win the title!
Going to be a tough difficult game that’s for sure, was really hoping Ramsey would be back. Who plays in our front 3 if Alexis is rested (needs to be)? At least our midfield 3 of Santi, Ozil & Le Coq will be nice a rested so hopefully they’re the ones who can win us the game!
Who plays? None other than The Jeff, of course.
Giroud, Campbell and Gibbs should start. Gibbs just to cover the left side and Ozil can free roam the final third.
Damn, I was hoping Ramsey will be back.
Not happy about the fact that this means Alexis can’t get a bit of a rest, at least, he will definitely start this game :/
I was hoping for good news on the Ox at least. Alexis can’t catch a break!
So that means no rest for Alexis I guess. I had hoped that Ramsey and Ox will come in to bolster the squad. Challenging times, but one we should surmount.
To the title we march!
The FA has released new rules just to save Chelsea from relegation See Rules Below: 1. Chelsea will be allowed to field 13players during home games and 15 during away games. 2. If they win 2 consecutives corners kicks, they will be awarded a penalty. 3. Any attempt on goal will be treated as a goal. 4. If a Chelsea player is fouled, that’s a straight penalty regardless of their position on the pitch. 5. They will be allowed to make 13 substitutions. 6. They will be awarded 6 points for every match won. 4 points for every draw and… Read more »
Lame
Those are last year’s rules
A Gibbs-Campbell wide duo then. Can’t wait.
I doubt Alexis would be rested. A Pulis team to play against with an already depleted squad is really not what we needed right now. Still, we march on. COYG!
I too think he won’t be rested. I hope we can kill the game quickly and take him off. wishful thinking : )
Come on Ramsey we need ya
Hopefully they are not far away from a return, better to be safe than sorry given their delicate frames! I actually think that Bellerin is the most important returnee at the moment. He gives us so much in attach and our defence is infinitely better with him in the side.
Maybe we will see Gibbs given another run out on the left wing… I would like to see Campbell get another run out as he has not done badly as our 15th choice RW.
Think he will rest Alexis against Zagreb. Wenger said Ramsey will be back on Monday so that could see him brought in to give our duracell chilean a rest. Premier league has to be priority.
But Zagreb is a must win….partly because we rested players in the first leg.
I think Gibbs should start and then Alexis could come on if we need help.
Can we not just stick Bellerin on the right wing? He used to play there. Better still, clone him and chuck him in at right back too!
Just play Bellerin at both right wing and right back. He basically does it anyway.
Then add an 11th anywhere and just tell him to make sure to stay out of Bellerin’s way.
It can’t fail!
Disappointing injury news. I thought we’d have Ox and Ramsey back as well as Bellerin.
Ramsey’s injury was on 20 Oct. Hamstrings are supposed to be three weeks. This is four and a half and counting.
There are three grades of hamstring strain IIRC, the mild one is 3 weeks, the worse ones are longer.
Just one more game and we can rest Alexis,Ramsey Ox back Monday this is good news, Gibbs and Flamini good subs to bring on if in trouble but I think we play better away from home 2-0 to The Arsenal
What happened to Arteta? if he’s available he could play with the coq in midfield allowing Santi to free roam ahead of him with Ozil left (free Roaming) andd Alexis Right
Certainly need Alexis to play if fit after the break, but it is a risk. Wenger may try and go with Flamini or Arteta in the middle and move Carzola wide for a road match to be strong defensively vs playing Campbell from the beginning again. Would like to see Gibbs be given a chance from the start some time too (vs Campbell).