So, Robin Van Persie’s injury will no doubt break up our flow, but at a club like ours, we cannot let injuries stand in our way. (Okay, well we kind of have in recent times, but not this season…)… but the difference this season is that we’re in a formation that has only one striker and four attacking midfielders and we have a more than capable back up for the main striking position in Eduardo Da Silva. In previous seasons, we’ve lost players and not really had anyone to come in for them. At the moment, we’ve lost RvP, but players such as Eduardo and the soon to be fit again Carlos Vela can make the step up. With Rosicky, Arshavin, Nasri and Walcott providing the supporting role alongside the captain, it shouldn’t be doom and gloom – albeit Robin Van Persie is a very big player for us!
Eduardo himself was in the press commenting on the situation and said:
“The boss knows our qualities and how they can fit into a formation. For me it is fine to play on the left or the right, no problem, the most important thing is to help the team and I feel good in those positions. It is a formation that gives us more movement and more creativity through the middle, although it is not easy because we have to balance defence and attack and that can be difficult.”
Whilst Eduardo is gearing himself up for an extended run in the team, Robin Van Persie is off to Serbia to “try out” a new treatment which uses placenta massaged into the ankle to make it stronger – random, very much so, but true. Who else thought it was a joke the first time they read it? Let’s hear from RvP…
“She is vague about her methods but I know that she first massages you for a long time with placenta fluid. I am going to give it a try. It can’t do any harm and if it helps, it helps. I’ve been in contact with Arsenal’s chief physio about it. The club has allowed me to have this treatment done.”
Hmmm, doesn’t really sound very specific, but of course placenta is a healing solution, so if anything, it can’t be bad. RvP is going to see Arsene on Thursday who will make the final decision, but it does seem like it is something that will happen.
And just as you thought we couldn’t extend our trusted old injury list (see the right hand side for the lengthy list)… we’ve suffered what is actually a big blow for us as Kieran Gibbs was injured when on International duty for the England Under 21s. When Gael Clichy was injured, we weren’t too worried as we had young Gibbsy in reserve, but with the recent injury, they are both out at the same time. Of course, we have two players who can deputise – one being Mikael Silvestre and one being Armand Traore… I’d say the former is fit and ready to play, whilst the latter is more suited to our game, but remains unfit and recovering from injury… Saturday’s team news is going to be interesting.
Initially earlier today, I heard that the injury was a suspected metatarsal injury, but news coming out of the world of Arsenal is that it may not be as bad as first feared… the BBC reporting… “A Football Association spokesman told BBC Sport that it did not look as though Gibbs had seriously damaged his ankle.”
Fingers crossed! Believe me, I was so upset earlier…!
Okay, just before I go, just a quick round up of the other news…
Fran Merida’s agent says he’s ready to negotiate with Arsenal after not receiving any other offers. Interesting, and very worrying that the desire to sign was not immediate…
“I do not know what Atletico are waiting for in bidding for a player who has half of Europe after him. It’s true that as a child he was sick about Atletico but everything has changed a bit. Now his heart and head are with Arsenal. There are much falsehoods in the world of football because the players do not decide what team they play for. The priority now is to negotiate with Arsenal and in the future we’ll see. The desire is to keep him at Arsenal and succeed.”
Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Samir Nasri will not play a defensive midfield role when Alex Song is at the Africans cup of nations – instead Denilson will return and be fit enough to cover the role – any one think we’re due a DM signing in January? Anyone heard what Arsene has been saying about Vieira needing to move clubs to ensure his World Cup place… interesting….
Arsene on Nasri:
“No, [he is not a replacement]. I do not say that he could not, Samir is very tactically astute, but he is attracted forwards. He loves the offensive game. We have Denilson who can fill that role. He is more suited than Samir at the moment. Samir is more a player who has pace, is versatile around the box and can finish. It would be a sacrifice to put him down there. Also he has a little handicap in the air. He likes [that defensive role] and certainly, technically and tactically, he can do it but I believe he can be more efficient up front.”
And finally, there’s noise coming out of the Kroenke camp about how good Kroenke is as an investor and a businessman… it’s coming from the Kroenke side – but they may just have a point – more on that tomorrow…
Til then…
