According to the Evening Standard, Arsenal are hopeful the groin injury sustained by Leandro Trossard during Saturday’s 3-2 win over Bournemouth is not as serious as it might have been.
The Belgium international quickly informed the coaching staff that he had an issue during the first half and was replaced after just 22 minutes. The 28-year-old twice suffered groin injuries at former club Brighton and was seemingly aware of the risk of exacerbating the problem.
While Trossard is expected to return to action before the Interlull it still leaves Mikel Arteta with a selection headache for imminent matches with Sporting Lisbon and Fulham, especially with Eddie Nketiah struggling with an ankle problem.
Emile Smith Rowe, who replaced Trossard on Saturday, and Fabio Vieira are both options to play as a false nine. There’s also the possibility of fielding Reiss Nelson in a wide position with Gabriel Martinelli spearheading the attack.
The Gunners train at London Colney tomorrow morning and then fly to the Portuguese capital in the afternoon with Arteta due to face the press in the early evening. We suspect he’ll play his cards close to his chest.
In better news, by the time Sporting Lisbon visits London in nine days’ time, Gabriel Jesus should be fit enough to play some part.
Arsenal are hoping the Brazil international, who has been sidelined by knee surgery since December, will be amongst the substitutes for the home leg of the Europa League showdown.
All going well, the summer signing will then step things up over the following couple of weeks before targeting a start against Leeds on 1st April.
Excellent news. Very relieved. Leo has already proved that we need him about to win this title. COYG
Leo has by far the greatest groin, the world has ever seen
No point being the greatest if it’s constantly out of action!
Stop being down on Leo’s groin all the time.
I find that the right testicle is usually the more positive of the two, so this comment from Left Testicle doesn’t surprise me unfortunately
Good news. Lets hope Nelson is given a go against Lisbon however, now is his chance to win a new contract which he deserves imo. COYG!
Happy Man Utd of March.
I hope all gooners, wherever you are, have a great day🔫
I was always thinking that the interminable talking up of United as title challengers was a joke.
This weekend must have been the punchline.
Thanks from Houston, Texas! Arsenal! Arsenal! Arsenal!
Hey! Neat.
Good news. Hopefully Belgium don’t call him up this month so he can fully recover at London Colney.
Whoever starts left-wing for us on Thursday may be up against Bellerin which would be fun.
I can see a case for Nelson starting, not just because of THAT goal, but his overall contribution certainly had more spark than Smith-Rowe. That being said, ESR needs the minutes too to get back to full fitness. Not sure they’ll both start unless Nelson plays on the right.
Nelson – Martinelli – Saka upfront with Viera – Xhaka – Jorginho in midfield sounds good enough for the euro league. Add Tierney, Turner and maybe a fresh CB and we’re fine.
Till the semi finals the main focus has to be on the league games.
The next two games are crucial, after the interlull we’ll probably have an almost fully fit squad.
League games you mean? There’s 4 games before the interlull. I am waaaaay less enthusiastic about Europa than I was a few weeks ago. 6 points vs Fulham and Palace needed as top priority. With few options up front that is going to be tough.
Yeah, league games. I really want us to make progress in EL, and winning begets winning, but if I were offered 6 points and out, or 3/4 points and through, I’d take the first every time.
The teams left in Europa aren’t as tough as most EPL teams you know.
I heard one of those Europa league teams got beaten 7-0 on Sunday. Seven! To nothing!
Wait, did you say 7? Incredible. Must have been one of those mickey mouse outfits from the outer-reaches.
And coached by a bloke from the Nether regions
Maybe not, it’s more the distraction, potential for injuries, and tiring out the players. We don’t have a deep enough squad to rotate a lot and keep a high-level performance. Something to be addressed in the summer, but right here and now I want the league far more than anything else.
Amazing news… and a big relief.
Trossard back – good!
Interlull – bad!
Fuck off interlull!
I think it might do us a little favour. Recharge our batteries, get Jesus back and ready to go for the last push. 12 games to go i am getting serioulsly excited & nervous!!
Not everyone gets a break though. A few of our players will be going with the potential for injury and fatigue. Plus the interlulls are boring.
I also think its a good time to take a break, recharge, get the injured guys back and integrated them properly into the squad (like preseason), have a great team talk/ strategy on how to run through the remaining 10 matches.
I still believe a draw at Liverpool, City, Newcastle away then we win our remaining matches including Chelsea should be enough. We can beat Newcastle (which is possible), but be very very careful with Chelsea, Brighton, Palace (Home), and Fulham, Forest (away).
God help and bless Arsenal.
COYG!!!
I doubt Man City will win all their remaining games, there will be twists and turns to come. I don’t know whether to be petrified or ecstatic about the next few weeks! It’s going to be emotional.
If we draw those 3 games and win the rest it will actually be enough, even if City win all other 11 games.
1st “if” is a big one though.
I hope Leandro doesn’t keep getting hurt in the Trossards!
I heard it’s the other way round.
Putting it out there that Reiss is a better all round , skillful forward than our boy Saka … and I love Saka
How great to see Hale End shining
Quite literally every bit of evidence and logic would suggest you’re wrong here, but everyone’s entitles to an opinion.
We’ve all got one!
pahaha
I love Reiss but nah. B is our star boy not a shred of doubt on that,
If you watched Reiss in his academy days you’d agree to an extent withEmiledeathrowe…He was explosive…the best of the crop with no single doubts…I always wondered what could’ve happened to him stepping up to the grand stage and just becoming an afterthought…definitely has to be a confidence/mentality thing…I hope he sorts himself out…with some help from the coaching staff on that front I see him becoming a world class player he has got the talent in full. Just let go of the hand brakes damn it!
Much as I love the Reiss revival, Saka is in the discussion for best player in Europe right now.
The stats don’t support your assertion. Reiss had opportunities at Saka’s age and didn’t take them, Saka did, therein lies the difference. Put the pipe down.
People that don’t rate Saka clearly aren’t watching. His close control and ball retention is rivaled by few when it comes to tricky and quick wingers. Just absolute miles ahead of the likes of Antony or Richarlson
Did you see the analysis on MOTD2, which could easily have been a documentary titled: “Antony: He’s a lazy bastard.”?
Bloody hysterical. How much did he cost again?
I’m glad Arteta managed to find the time to sweat on Leos groin. It’s clear that his perspiration has magical healing qualities.
Hope it’s more successful than Eileen Drewery.
I have faith it will be !
Who downvotes that.
Erm today’s blog *arsenal are fucked etc* please tell me this is a wind up? The fucking FA cannot seriously be charging people for celebrating now surely?
It’s so blatant now against the team It’s fucking ridiculous!
Well at least we know the line has been drawn at celebrating, but shoving referees is allowed
Fantastic news.
Let’s get Leo, Jesus and Eddie back as soon as possible – and then start smashing up these remaining fixtures by five or six at a time.
Let’s absolutely destroy this run in and make the FA, VAR and Gary Neville choke on their own vomit.
COYG