The Arsenal medical team latest update on the fitness of Unai Emery’s squad reveals that the club are still assessing the ankle injury sustained by Sokratis while on international duty.
The Greek defender was forced off at half time of his country’s 2-0 defeat to Finland earlier this week. That the extent of the problem is still unclear suggests he could well be a doubt for Monday’s clash with Leicester at the Emirates.
Given we’re still without Laurent Koscielny (expected to return in November) means it’s likely that Rob Holding and Mustafi could form our centre-back pairing.
Elsewhere, it’s positive news. Danny Welbeck, who sat out England’s win over Spain, and Mesut Ozil, who missed the 5-1 thrashing of Fulham, have recovered from hamstring and back niggles. Petr Cech is also being assessed. Ainsley Maitland-Niles, out of action since August, is also available for selection.
It sounds as though he may well be on the mend, although you’d imagine Emery will probably stick with Bernd Leno after a couple of decent performances.
Sok (it to them) has done well at a new club for him, hope he is back quick.
glad to hear maitland-niles is almost back, he almost made it last season and really thought this would be his year, and the new manager starting him in this first game it looked good, then it very quickly went wrong, if he comes back where he was he can get into our team and maybe theres even an England call up not far away
Who’s the ? that tumbed this comment down?
Never thought I’d see the day we would sign someone with my namesake so I hope he recovers quickly and continues he rise in stock among gooners.
Holding has done enough to keep his place, and whilst Cech has mainly been very good this season, I think Leno looks a more natural fit playing out from the back.
I love that it’s becoming increasingly difficult to second guess our starting 11, Emery couldn’t care any less about reputations, and on current form I think both Welbeck+Iwobi are ahead of both Mkhitaryan+Ozil in the hierarchy.
On the wing I agree, but not if you start Ozil in his #10 spot, if he starts in the middle of the park, there’s no one better!
I think we already know what Emery thinks about starting Ozil as a No10.
WOW, I cant believe theres no thumbs down for saying Welbeck and iwobi in front of mkhitaran and OZIL, could it be that ozil lovers are finally seeing the light
For me, if Emery abandons the 4-4-2 like I am guessing he will, Ozil is straight into the #10 role, Ramsey to the bench. Iwobi on the wing and the other is between Auba, Mkhi, and Danny.
If for some odd reason he sticks with 4-4-2 I’d love to see him try Ozil+Laca or Auba up top, Iwobi, Danny, and Mkhi fighting for the wing spots. Yes, Ramsey still on the bench.
It feels like it’s been a very very long time since I’ve been this excited and eager for Arsenal games!
Good times ahead boys, good times ahead
Wouldn’t like to be Vardy with Sokratis marking him………he looks like an Angry Camper???
He can not drop Iwobi right now. He brings so much energy to the team even though he runs out of ideas sometimes. Rambo and Ozil need to earn their place back in the team and both should start on the bench IMHO.
Which is what you get buying 30yr old players. We should have bought better last summer. That said, Sokratis is pivotal this season (considering options) and we need him back quickly. Meanwhile, HOlding has taken his chance and been doing well in conjunction with Mustafi. Still way too many shots at our goal but crucially last game, we managed to keep them mainly coming from distance. Much of this is to do with better cover from midfield with Torreira patrolling aggressively and the players further forward also involved. As always, defense issues are not limited to the backline. You look… Read more »
When AMN returns, we have a role for him in midfield but also on both flanks at fullback. Kolasinac needs a bit of confidence and to get back to how he was when he first started for us (regardless of wingback or fullback) but AMN is an option if it should not materialise. Right back cover is also an option given how average Jenkinson is and the fact Lichsteiner is purely stop gap. In addition, midfield cover can also offer a role. AMN to me brings more extra to our midfield than Elneny. He is able to carry the ball… Read more »
I expect if Koscielny returns to some fitness and form, we will let Mavropanos out on a strong loan to benefit his progress.
I think we will be fine. We did OK without Sokratis in the past. Thankfully, it looks a short-term injury more than a layoff.
Great news from the medical center, let’s go there…..