1505: Man Utd v Arsenal (1610 GMT) Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger reveals 'there's a bug in the camp overnight' and one or two of his players are not feeling 100%... WTF? Moyes is getting desperate.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger told Sky Sports: "We had four players that were touched by a sickness bug overnight. "Per Mertesacker and Tomas Rosicky have had to miss out so Thomas Vermaelen and Mathieu Flamini come in to replace them and we must move players around. Mikel Arteta and Serge Gnabry are also sick but are fit enough to be available. "We are perfectly focused and ready for the fight, it is not an excuse for us and I have complete faith in the players that have come in. We are ready for the fight."
**** the last person i wanted out was big Mert. He's been one of our most in form players and has formed a very good partnership with Kos. Although Vermaelen is a top player, he is suffering from poor form and hasn't played much football. Hope he goes back to his old form and plays well with Kos. I really don't want us to hand a goal to Manure through defensive mistakes. Manure are for the taking!
Arteta not being 100% isn't too good either but I think he'll be fine. If Vermaelen doesn't get pooped on on the counter we'll get something out of it.
No clean sheet in the last 9 when Vermaelen has featured. Needs to step up today. Perfect opportunity.
hopefully vermaelen can fill the leadership role at the back that mertesacker does so well. big difference is that both koscielny and vermaelen like to attack the ball. could leave us exposed to through balls through the middle, so arteta and flamini will need to be switched on at all times.
Citeh just lost to Sunderland. After yesterday with chavski and today with citeh 3 points today would be very welcome.
Really pissed off that we have Mert and Rosicky out - two of our best performers in our recent tough games against 'pool and Dortmund. As if we don't have a long enough injury list without 4 players getting ill.... With Tottenham and City both failing today this is an even greater opportunity to cement our place at the top of the table so it's no suprise really that last minute injuries etc are going to make it as difficult as possible!!
Exactly what I thought. Unless Verm remains disciplined, I can see either or both of those things happening.
