The Premier League season hasn’t even begun yet but Arsene Wenger already has a few selection headaches ahead of the the first game of the season at Goodison Park on Saturday. With Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky and Frenchman Samir Nasri already ruled out, four more have joined them on the sidelines this week.
Following the international break manager Arsene Wenger gave Arsenal.com the run down on the latest injury news:
“We have some problems. We have Theo Walcott who is not available. Diaby has a little groin problem but he could be available. [Also] we have lost Johan Djourou and Lukasz Fabianksi because they had injuries. Lukasz had a cartilage surgery, he will be out for two months. Johan has a knee problem that will take some time to cure – one month.”
Johan Djourou’s replacement will surely be summer signing Thomas Vermaelen, who will now be available having missed the Emirates Cup and final friendly match in Valencia.
“Thomas Vermaelen played 45 minutes for Belgium last night and came through OK so he will be available.”
Finally the Arsenal fans have been given updates on the progress Nasri and Rosicky are making:
“Tomas Rosicky is two weeks away [from being fit again]. Samir Nasri [is out for] three-and-a-half weeks now. But it will be six or seven weeks until he is available for training.”
So positive news on Tomas Rosicky who was originally thought to be out for 6 weeks, while Walcott and Diaby are very short term injuries so both should be back for the Champions League qualifier on Tuesday next week in a crucial tie for the Gunners.
