The Arsenal medical team have released the latest injury update ahead of Wednesday’s Premier League clash with Wolves, and midfield concerns continue with news that Granit Xhaka hasn’t been declared fully fit.
The Swiss international continues to be assessed due to a hip problem he picked up during the 1-0 win over Napoli in the Europa League.
Speaking after Sunday’s defeat to Crystal Palace, Unai Emery said, “Xhaka asked to change in the second half against Napoli and today could’ve played, but with some risk.”
It sounds reasonably promising, but we’ll have to wait and see how he comes through training in the next couple of days.
There’s no specific update regarding Lucas Torreira who has been troubled recently by a groin strain and was not considered fit enough to play 90 minutes against Palace, so hopefully that’s a sign he’s in line to start.
Aaron Ramsey and Denis Suarez remain sidelined with hamstring and groin problems respectively, while Danny Welbeck, Rob Holding and Hector Bellerin continue their rehabilitation from serious injury.
What happened to the mighty Liechsteiner?
I’d rather he not play at all due to his slow thinking and slower sprinting speed. He also seems to have forgotten how to cross a ball as well.
He’s one of the best deep lying midfielders in the country with a great passing range.
Dat Guy was referring to Liechsteiner
I obviously meant Xhaka.
Some criticising Emery’s selection on Sunday, but when you break it down, it was clearly a selection based on necessity rather than choice. Some of our players really aren’t up to much, and this isn’t a dig at them personally, because I think we generally have a very honest group of players, there’s jut a quality and balance issue throughout the squad. Unfortunately i see us struggling with the remaining schedule, and if as I suspect we fail to achieving both our remaining targets, it won’t be because Emery isn’t good enough, or because we bottled it, it’ll be because… Read more »
Another opportunity for Arsenal to cement their place in the top 4 as Chelsea dropped points against Burnley… Just play the best 11 available now UNAI no resting of players please
Fortunately Man U and Chelsea have both been shit recently
And they still have to play each other
The only problem is they can’t both lose. Hoping for a draw now
Exactly!..that’s the best result Arsenal can hope for that Man U vs Chelsea turns out to be a draw…+ Man U losing against City on Wednesday…Most importantly we must avoid defeat against Wolves on Wednesday…if 3points isn’t achievable the team should at least get 1 for the team’s confidence
I’m not sure it’s a case of resting players.
It’s likely a case of his medical department telling him, “if you play Torreira or Xhaka? They could go the way of Ramsey and they could be out for a matter of weeks”
We have to manage our squad, and the manager will have to analyse the significant data available to him, with regards to injuries and fatigue.
Koscielny+Monreal are 33
Torreira+Xhaka carrying knocks
Lacazette+Kolasinac are apparently carrying knocks
We cannot play the same starting 11, 3 times per week for the next 3 and half weeks
Isn’t that exactly what resting players means?
This is where we’re at, we’re working fine margins with players who are giving everything and we can’t ask for any more. The three long term injuries have been a massive blow to us this season, and unfortunately Suarez has been unable to help out. The squad players are clearly not good enough so what next? The manager and fitness guys are doing all that they can to keep us in the mix, but maybe the time has come for a bit of a gamble, I’d like to see Buyako Saka given 20 minutes, or maybe someone like Willock in… Read more »
This is such a massive game now. Given how good Wolves have been at home this season I don’t think we can be considered favourites but this is the type of game where we really need to lay down a marker and produce one of the performances of the season. The other teams around us have all, luckily, dropped points. Let’s make them pay and put the pressure on tomorrow night. Time for the players to prove they are not the same Arsenal as the last 2/3 years and that they actually have the mental strength and quality to get… Read more »
Seems no one wants 4th place.
I don’t. I want 3rd.
For all his faults, when Xhaka is out it really shows how thin we are at the controlling base of midfield. I don’t know if Smith-Rowe can deputise next season, but we need someone who can.
At this point I’d take Xhaka in a bloody wheelchair over Elneny in midfield. Odd how one of the most maligned players of the late-Wenger era has become one of Emery’s most indispensable.
Wolves play their own way and are devastating on the counter-attack, so Emery needs to ensure there is the right combination of speed and intelligence at the back. I wouldn’t be surprised if he plays Mustafi anyways (!!), as a show of faith and support to a player getting hammered from all angles; it will be beyond frustrating to us, but it is what good managers do for their players at trying times. Hopefully he sends us out in a formation capable of controlling of the midfield in a 4-3-3 or 4-3-1-2. If Xhaka is fit, obvious, but if he… Read more »
Kudos to Unai. He has improved Granit, Iwobi, Belerin, Holding, and Even Ramsey ( too bad he’s leaving) . we can say this season has been a relative success. Let’s finish d job now and make top 4.
How has iwobe improved? Did you see the Palace game? His lame and weak shot? He can’t shot to save his life!
You clearly didn’t watch the game.. Iwobi changed the game when he came on with his direct running and ability to carry the ball. Yes he should have finished that chance you speak of but he was part of the catalyst that got us back in the game before mustafi did his mustafi thing.
Xhaka has improved mainly because he is playing in his true role as deep lying midfielder now we have a proper DM in Torreira.
A draw wouldn’t be the worst result
I am so excited to watch elneny and guendouzi torment wolves midfield ?
Not good. Injuries creating issues in midfield. You have to give credit to Unai. This squad has its deficiencies. Cback still not good enough. koscielny has durability issues which means Sokratis is the only reliable Cback if he doesn’t get himself suspended. Holding out curtails positive development this season. We don’t know about Chambers, Mavropanos still early in development, Mustafi has his mental lapses. BUT Midfield is the bigger concern. Torreira isn’t Santi Carzola he has been culpable for poor runs too. Granit vastly improved but injury issues now, Ramsey looked good in deep area but also injury issues which… Read more »