Don't get too excited about Wellbeck eventually coming back, he is becoming our new Diaby.
It's a bit ridiculous tbh. He had a good record for injuries prior to joining us but since being an Arsenal player he has suffered long injury lay-offs consistently. He isn't a top class player by any stretch of the imagination, but he is a strong squad player and brings a good level of athleticism. I wonder if it's due to him getting more consistent football with us than previously in his career, or our training methods, or just bad luck?
It is probably the most frustrating thing for me as an Arsenal fan, above the lack of signing the players we as fans want, above the odd performances we sometimes put in when we look like we are finally on the right track, above the sometimes repetitive nature our seasons can take... The consistent injury problems we struggle with throughout the squad is absolutely ridiculous. It infuriates me how regularly we have key players out, how often we have multiple players out and how our expected return dates always seem to be pushed back. It does my head in.
Over the years we have brought in different medical staff including some who have worked at the top level with clubs and national teams in an attempt to deal with the issue but we still seem to be unable to overcome our injury problem.
Wengers training methods were revolutionary when he arrived in the league and during his early years at the club. He changed the way things where done on the training front and the health side of the game. The level of fitness and intensity expected increased throughout the league due to his influence. But now I find myself struggling to look beyond training methods as the reason for our level of injuries.
The other option is that our style of play, attempting to play with pace, keep the ball, use skill, results in stronger tackles and more cynical fouls. But that doesn't explain the setbacks in return times or injuries during training we seem to pick up.
Maybe it's just bad luck, but I'm leaning towards training being the issue. But if that's the case why haven't the other coaches, or the medical staff at the club realised the issue and raised it with the manager?
I suppose it's worth noting that players like Ozil since joining the club have had an extra focus on bulking up, gaining strength and muscle etc to deal with the different style in the league, which would seem like the right thing to do. So it would appear that in some areas it isn't bad decision making, but then what is causing the problem?
It is so frustrating. So often we have had what seems like the required quality in the team only to be undone by injuries.
.....well that turned into a bit of a rant
