We have 5 players due back from injury by the end of Jan, with Wilshere only a couple of weeks behind. T Henry Calf Muscle Strain 29th Jan 12 M Arteta Calf/Shin Injury 29th Jan 12 F Coquelin Hamstring Injury 31st Jan 12 A Santos Sprained Ankle 11th Mar 12 V Diaby Hamstring Injury 17th Mar 19 C Jenkinson Stress Fracture no return date K Gibbs Inguinal Hernia 31st Jan 12 B Sagna Broken Leg 31st Jan 12 J Wilshere Ankle/Foot Injury 16th Feb 12 I think our team will look much stronger then. I also think that the last few results have shown how much we have really missed Arteta. Just wanted to post something positive and (hopefully) non-controversial.
Good grief Diaby is back by the 17 March and he only has a hamstring injury? Has he even played for us this season? Anyways, the one guy on that list that will be a BIG welcome back is Sagna. We have been missing him so much.
The good news though is that he'll be getting a nice new contract at the end of the season with a big pay rise, to reward him for all his hard work on the fitness table.
Agree about Arteta. Been a big miss. Some people actually thought he was not a success since his arrival but his absence has shown how important he is to us. He keeps it ticking and covers for Song when he decides to attack. Arteta is very clever in the way he drops back to protect the defence. Hopefully he is back for the Villa game.
Cripes, 5 players back in a week. That should balance the 3-4 that will get injured leading up to that date nicely Seriously though, cracking news to see the return (hopefully) of Lasagne and Arteta. If the unlikely event of Gibbs ever being healthy also comes off then it can only be good news too. Imagine, a back four with people in their actualy positions. Crazy times.
I think 'Panic buy' was the term used. But Wenger was right to identify him and buy him after Fabregas left. He's been one of our most important players this season and we've definitely missed him in the last couple of games. When we get Santos and Sagna back, I think we'll be much better both defensively, but also attacking from the fullback position. Arteta is key in this area too and he hold the backline of the midfield really well, which allows the fullbacks to bomb forward.
It's amazing crediting the club for buying Arteta.... My memory of that transfer window is a bit hazy (so apologies), I remember being glued to Sky Sports looking for that last minute bargain, then came the news flash we were in for Arteta, deal agreed with the club, only for our hopes to be dashed with news that the club could not agree personal terms....... My point is that the Arteta deal almost never happened, and we later gathered only happened because Arteta agreed to take a pay cut from our penny pinching club..... Only heaven knows how many good players we missed out on because the club will not pay the extra 50p? At least we all agree Arteta has been a revelation since he signed......
Is Sagna back in training then? If not I'd be surprised if he's actually available at the end of the month after a leg break.
From Arsenal.com "on Bacary Sagna (ankle) and Kieran Gibbs (groin)... Both of them are about two to three weeks away" I'd guess so then.
I expect RVP will miss the game with ahem.... a minor injury. Also Arshavin will start - because Oxo has not been at all well.
Without wishing to open that 'orrible can of worms again but didn't Arteta almost not sign because Everton refused our initial offer? I thought it was only because he handed in a transfer request that Everton eventually caved.