Arsene Wenger says that Hector Bellerin’s absence from the squad that travelled to Bulgaria today was because of a ‘little incident’ in training.
The Spaniard was in all the training pictures, but it seems something happened late in the session that meant he had to be left behind.
Speaking at his press conference this evening, the manager said, “Who did not travel is Monreal, Cazorla and Bellerin, Walcott – both are more or less injuries.
“Some of them being very close, like Walcott, Bellerin had a little incident in the last minute of training so they are not here.”
Wenger wasn’t giving anything away about who would deputise when asked if Carl Jenkinson was the man to fill in.
“He is in the squad,” he said. “I have not named the team yet, I will decide that tomorrow. He is in the squad. I have plenty of right backs in the squad, three or four.”
Hopefully Hector’s absence is just precautionary ahead of Sunday’s derby.
Why risk first team regulars ,this match is basically like European Carling cup.
Disagree. Do you want us to finish top of the group or not? This is an important game. Away from home in what will probably be a relatively partisan atmosphere 3 points is essential.
A boost to our goal difference won’t do any harm either, in case we draw 1-1 again with PSG at the Emirates.
I agree with you mate but what’s the fuckin bet that we top our group and Atletico top theirs and we get… Bayern again
Fair point. Safe to say we aren’t the luckiest of clubs when it comes to champions league draws.
Bar the Monaco debacle which I have wiped clean from the memory
Short memory Appleton? First two apparent walk overs last season never occurred. Nearly didn’t qualify because of that mentality.
No one wins the CL without meeting a big team in the knock-out stages, sooner or later. The whole talk about avoiding a big team in the round of 16 gives the impression that our objective is to go beyond the round of 16, rather than to win the trophy.
Why play more ‘big teams’ than you have to?
Also winning your group means you play at home 2nd so you know what you need to do.
A little incident. Hm. Was there some disagreement, perhaps, about whether The Shawshank Redemption was indeed the best film ever made?
What’s to debate ? It’s epic
Love that haha!!
3 or 4 right backs in the squad without Bellerin? Has Debuchy resurfaced?
1) Colonel Carl
2) Maitland-Niles
3) Mustafi can play there
4) The Coq can play pretty much anywhere
5) We can recall Chambers
6) Sanogo has strong defender legs
7) Worst case scenario, Bellerin has a younger brother
pretty sure Gabriel played right back as well for part of his time in Brazil
Gabriel can play there too.
I cannot think of any other right backs in our team. There was some French guy too. What’s his name? Oh yea! Koscielney, he might play there if asked to.
No, we can’t recall Chambers.
Don’t forget my Gran…:-)
How can anyone forget your gran (you won’t let us)…
and you Lord Bendtner can come back for this one game and play there
Holding has also played some right back.
My nan could play there and still outpace their defence on the attack
November and its little incidents…
I guess Jenkinson was really serious about that pushing bellerin stuff.
Haahahaaaa 😀 😀
Hahahaha. I’m certain that if that was the case, Wenger would describe it as ‘a little incident’.
Why do I get the feeling that Gabriel was involved in this “little incident”?
Manager is making sure he doesn’t sound like he is underestimating the opponents ahead of the clash. we all know it’s just rest!
Yes, I agree with you.
Or, to put it in perspective, in previous years where we had a thin squad, important/key players would have to play through these “niggling” injuries or when they are in the red zone already.
Now, we can afford to rest these players (I believe Theo and Bellerin would have been selected had we not have Ox and Jenko as worthy replacement).
I think it is an injury. He would have traveled as back-up if it was rest. Let’s just hope it is as little as the manager says. Not sure Jenko is quite ready for Spurs.
Internet Gods why do all of my posts go into moderation??
and this one will never come out…so annoying Blogs!
I don’t know. I think you’re just cursed 🙁
Same always happens to me :/
What’s the point of a watch list if we cant find people to put on it?
Ramsey too has played right back once, I believe.
Yes, against Sunderland when Sagna had to go to CB and Jenkinson got sent off.
Jenko, Holding, Mustafi, Maitland Niles are the 4 right back options.
And Coquelin and Gabriel.
Right, Brian. Everyone forgets Rob Holding is also a specialist right back.
The game in Bulgaria will be a difficult one, going by how our hosts played at the Emirates; that score line flattered us a bit, so we have to be ready for a very professional display based on a solid defence and clinical finishing.
3 points. No matter the XI
Jenks looked pissed off in the Halloween prank video. Maybe…
I hope it’s ‘little’. We need Theo and Hector to tear Danny Rose a new one.
I don’t just want a win on Sunday. I don’t just want to end their unbeaten run. I want to humiliate them. Destroy, destroy, destroy!
Easy man. That’s the best defense in the Prem so far this season. Any kind of 3 points would do.
Hahaha, A true Gooner! We must destroy them…
We must implement Mustafi!
I hope this has more to do with just rest than an actual injury.
But with this team’s injury history the last couple of years a “minor” foot injury can somehow just as easily turn into basic leg amputation.
Either way it seems the injury bug is returning, just as some guys were ready to come back (Ramsey and Giroud), i feel like i’ve seen this movie before with the club. Hopefully Hector, Santi, and Theo are not out long term.
While our Spanish trio of Monreal, Bellerin and Cazorla are getting much needed respite before the Big derby with Spurs, then PSG and ManU we have our British trio of Jenko, Gibbs and Ramsey all looking good and getting some valuable game time…..good times
Is Debuchy even an option to be in the squad? I can’t see him playing with no game time this season (unless I am forgetting him in an EFL match) and not making the bench. There are definitely options with a CD moving over or Jenkison or someone else. Ramsey and Coquelin also have experience there in a pinch.
Definitely need to take this match seriously as I doubt we will have the cakewalk we did at home vs them. Away matches in the CL are always tricky especially given the hostile environments and potentially poor pitch condition.