http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/5...s-walcott-wilshere-ramsey-sanogo-bendtner.htm Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is sweating over the fitness of Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey and Yaya Sanogo ahead of the weekend's Premier League trip to Sunderland. Walcott and Ramsey were both replaced in the second half during England's 0-0 draw with Ukraine in Kiev after picking up respective Achilles and head injuries while Ramsey collided with an advertising hording during Wales' 3-0 loss against Serbia. The 22 year old, who has already scored three times for the Gunners this season, completed the 90 minutes but it is yet to be seen whether there will be any after-affects following the fall. Wenger was dealt another major blow as Sanogo returned from France Under-21 duty with a back strain that is due to be assessed by the club's medical staff in the coming days. While Sanogo had initially been viewed as one for the future, Arsenal's failure to land a high profile striker in the summer transfer window has meant that the 20 year old has become the club's second choice centre forward. With Nicklas Bendtner far from full fitness, and Lukas Podolski ruling himself out for some three months, Arsenal have been left desperately short of options in attack, with Olivier Giroud currently the only fit senior striker on the club's books. Should the quartet be ruled out of the trip to the Stadium of Light, Wenger will be left with as few as 16 first team outfield players for the return of Premier League action, while Arsenal's Champions League campaign starts next week away at Marseille. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is likely to miss at least the next two months while Abou Diaby is absent until the New Year. Mikel Arteta isn't due to return until October and club captain Thomas Vermaelen is side-lined with a back problem which forced him to miss pre-season. The injury crisis works to emphasise that while Wenger was able to secure the record signing of Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid, the Frenchman's squad is lacking in substantial depth. Walcott was fouled mid-way through the second half by Ukrainian defender Oleksandr Kucher, who received a yellow card, and was troubled by an Achilles problem before eventually being replaced by Tom Cleverley with three minutes left. Wilshere, who seldom plays three games in a week due to his littered injury history, is likely to miss out for the visit to the north east after being subject to some rough tackling from the Ukraine midfielder Taras Stepnenko before the pair clashed for a high ball, leaving the Arsenal man requiring treatment. Ashley Young replaced Wilshere after 67 minutes following an insipid display one which the 21 year old is hoping to learn much from. "It was my biggest international game, my first big one away," Wilshere said. "It was a hostile atmosphere. It was good for me. It was a good experience. I had a lot of experience around me with me with Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard and they helped me. "It always helps when you have that experience in your team. You can't just give that to anyone. It comes over time. They have been there and done it and they showed that." The one positive for Wenger will have been the performance of new signing Ozil who scored and provided an assist for Arsenal teammate Per Mertesacker in Germany's 3-0 win over Faroe Islands. As far as i can tell from that article, they have 6 first team players outâ¦that should help us significantly imo! Still though to keep a level head, to take anything from this game would be unexpected and a bonus Although it is Sunderlandâ¦the team of 'Why the hell can we not do this against the lower/mid table teams?!' Bring on Arsenal, 3-1 win!
I have no doubt arsenal will put out a substantial side that will be difficult for us to get a result
I think they've got plenty of quality still there. Shouldn't be underestimated. Still think we'll lose this one but won't be taking it to heart. We're still in the early stages of a 'New Sunderland' but I'll love it if we make a game of it and I think we can cause them problems.
Bollox! This is a real opportunity, Arsenal are without a number of 1st team players and the will impact their play, last year in the League Cup we beat them on merit. 2 seasons back at Chelsea -who were without Drogba and 3-4 other key players I cashed in a 2-to-1 bet with a Chelski fan (and then lost it all -and more in the next match!), I sensed we'd win it and I have the same gut feeling about this one. HO'WAY SUN'LUN!
I'm far from a doom monger mate. I'm one of the most positive on this board. Certainly more so than yourself. Just taking a balanced view that we still need a few games to gel and that could be our undoing this game. Like I said, I think we can cause them problems and I'm certain we'll score but I'm not going to ignore things like the fact our captain and key defence organiser is out and we could be playing the two new lads together for the first time against a dangerous team. If you read my post you'd see how balanced it is. Now I've given more detail as to why I think we could get beat (like we're picking up 3 points left right and center) Balanced is not negative.
i was not referring to you bri , i do like your views, it was at others who always take the negative whatever
Sweet mate. I'd be horrified to think I was regarded as a member of the Glum Brigade. Got a bit defensive there didn't I? Sorry fella.
We are currently an utter shambles, and most likely not win until we play the mags, I am worried how far off at the bottom we will be by Jan. Them first 3 games will cost Di canio his job, and most likely end our 6 years in the premier league, and amazing when you think the players who we sold over the past 3 seasons. The league cup could be our saviour this season. The WBA game could be it for Di canio, and we can get Mcarthy back.
Best of luck for the rest of your season (after you play us), it's always a top game with you lot. Oh, and while Sanogo is now injured, we should be getting Vermaelen back, and Walcott is fine. Rosicky may not feature but I'd expect to see Ozil on bench or starting 11.
