Arsenal’s defensive injury crisis may have eased somewhat with the return of Hector Bellerin and Sead Kolasinac at the weekend, however, we’re still short on defenders.
Ahead of Thursday’s clash with Sporting Lisbon, the medical team have confirmed that both Nacho Monreal and Sokratis continue to be assessed. The Spaniard and Greek are struggling with hamstring and ankle problems respectively.
Assuming Hector and Sead stay fit, you’d imagine both will sit out this week’s games – we’re also playing Wolves on Sunday – and will make their returns after the Interlull.
Dinos Mavropanos, Laurent Koscielny and Mohamed Elneny are all still working their way back to fitness.
I think he’ll play one of either Hector or Kola on Thursday – if we get this win then we’re through so Emery isn’t going to put out a team like the one he did against Blackpool.
I’d certainly rest Bellerin and Kolasanic, keep them fresh for Wolves. Leitchsteiner and Maitland Niles can fill in. Centre back will be interesting, will he give Pleguezuelo another game, or play it safe again with Holding/Mustafi, who both had a decent game against Liverpool.
Irrelevent but Pleguezuelo played for the U23’S whom conceded 5 goals last weekend (lost 4-5 to Chelsea).
He could also play Jenks in LB
He could, but I don’t think jenks has a future at arsenal. Better to give Maitland Niles a game.
What’s wrong with Dinos, Achilles?
Glad Hector is heading the defence as we wait for the return of the Greeks.
Groin
Dino has had a groin injury.
I see what you did there… It’s not flawless but I’ll take it
As for Sporting Lisbon, they sacked their manager last week (no Wenger rumours yet, weird considering Sporting give value to their youth academy) and Battaglia, who won his first Argentina cap last month, picked up a serious knee injury and won’t play.
Aging assets carry injury risk. Lets hope Sokratis gets over his niggles bc we will need him. But as I mentioned in the summer, I thought we could have been more ambitious in this position. As for Monreal, the encouraging thing is we have Kolasinac back and he was superb against Liverpool particularly having just returned from lay off. AND AMN is also back in so we have someone to rotate with Kolasinac. Rotation will be key and as I mentioned, it is NOT a zero sum game. We will need all 3 of Mustafi, Holding and Sokratis in at… Read more »
So impressed with Emery. No let up. He is going for the win and confirmed first spot in group first and foremost. Prob a decently strong squad until we have done the business then rotation. Ramsey should feature IMO. Guendouzi for sure. Next to him maybe Torreira until we are secure then Elneny? At fullback maybe a bit of Kolasinac then AMN or AMN straight out. Lichsteiner can anchor the other flank. Cback is an issue. Mustafi may have to start but if we can rotate someone in to give at least Holding some respite (He could come of later… Read more »
What actually happened to Mavros? Scared it’s one of those mystery issues that goes on for months. He’s missing out on good opportunities
Rest Bellerin, play Lich. Rest Kola, play Niles.