Sadly familiar sight for Arsenal fans
Illness
Against that background they would have been disappointed that Cesc Fabregas couldn’t play against Liverpool last weekend due to illness. Perhaps his extra class and creativity may have helped his team-mates to two more points against ten man Liverpool.
The Arsenal midfield, so crucial to the way they play the game, is looking a little stretched at the moment and they can’t afford to lose ground to the other top teams early in the season.
Injury
Alex Song has picked up a calf injury, Denilson has an abdominal problem and, of course, Aaron Ramsey is still on the long road to recovery following his broken leg. These problems, together with Fabregas’ illness and apparent unhappiness at still being at the club would be enough of a problem for Wenger without the even worse news that Samir Nasri will now be out for at least a month.
Nasri underwent minor knee surgery yesterday after picking up a meniscal injury at Liverpool on Sunday.
Luck
The twenty-three year old French international has not enjoyed the best of luck with injuries since he joined Arsenal. In his first season everything went well and he made forty-four appearances but last season pretty much ended for him when he broke his right fibula at a pre-season training camp. Now he faces missing a few more games after just one appearance this season.
Unfortunately for Arsenal fans this situation seems to be a pointer as to why they might just fall short again this season. Presumably Fabregas will be back and Tomas Rosicky appears to be getting back to his best. After that, they are down to Jack Wilshere who is undoubtedly a great prospect but little out of his depth on Sunday.
Limited
The transfer window is still open and surely Wenger will bring in some more players. The central defence looks good but one or two injuries would cause a major problem. The striking options are also limited if the first choice players break down. Of course, the less said about the goalkeeping position the better!
It is a fact that a few injuries cause a major problem for Arsenal whereas Chelsea and Manchester United are able to absorb so many more without suffering irreparable damage.
Talented
Some Arsenal fans are pointing to the fact that they often lose players to injury and are asking whether Wenger’s love of incredibly talented, but basically light-weight players could come back to haunt him.
When you look at the likes of Eduardo, Nasri, Arshavin and other players who have suffered bad injuries, they are hardly the same type of physical specimens as Drogba, Essien, Rooney or Fletcher. Nobody doubts their ability but is it just possible that the type of player preferred by Wenger is not quite up to the physically demanding hustle and bustle of the Premier League?
Prone
If it is the case that Arsenal’s players may be slightly more prone to injury than those of the other top teams, then it goes without saying that they are the team who need the greater strength in depth.
I love watching Arsenal play but I doubt whether it is actually possible for them to come out on top at the end of a long, gruelling season.
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