Arsene Wenger’s injury update ahead of tonight: Cesc Fabregas, William Gallas, Sol Campbell
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger provided a last injury update ahead of tonight’s Champions League against Porto. The Gunners need to overcome the 2-1 defeat of a fortnight ago and will have to do so without injured captain Cesc Fabregas. On Monday, Wenger admitted he could take a gamble on the Spaniard but opted not to after further tests.
Arsenal will welcome back Alex Song, who didn’t play against Burnley because of suspension and midfielders Abou Diaby and Andrey Arshavin, who both came on from the bench on Saturday. William Gallas, however, is ruled out and will also miss the next Premiership game away at Hull City.
Speaking on Monday, Wenger said:
Cesc is ruled out for tomorrow’s game. He has a hamstring problem and we could not even take a gamble with him. I was hoping [he would recover] after the game because we were cautious with him. He was not adamant about coming out of the team but still he has damaged his hamstring and we cannot take a gamble on him.
However we have gained Sol Campbell back in the squad and Alex Song too, who was suspended against Burnley. [William Gallas is out] and he has no chance for the Hull game as well.
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I think to day`s game arsenal 2, Porto 0. But missing fabregas may make arsenal players to more active to avoid criticism.
Why not play sagna/song centre back and rest campbell for hull? Or visa-versa, because i dont think sol is fit enough to play porto and hull, and i think we should try anything to keep silvestre out of defence! Esp as eboue can slot in at right back, what do you think?
The only thing I would do if Campbell can’t go (looks like he can) or if he gets injured during the match is to move Song back to center back and run Diaby in front of the back four. Anything to keep Silvestre off of the field.
This is no time for experimenting Ali. Sol Campbell is back and can play. Hull will be an easier game than Porto, thus Silvestre is more than capable.
I agree theres no time to experiment especially when song is such a rock in defensive mid, i think he should play nasri diaby eboue and wallcott in mid with nasri takin over fabregas role, denilson must not play at all
I see arsenal getting the important victory today without fab.
I think Arsenal 3 – Porto 0. Eboue should start wit Theo from 2 & 7, then bent should start from 9 & Campbell is needed in today’s game & Arshavin is not left out. As long as these players are in the pitch, victory is assured.
This is not a game to be patient, but to come out with our fastest runners and all guns blazing put pressure and score early goal, that will pull porto out of their comfort zone since they will have to score but only if we do , and hopefully then we score again on a counter (if we still know how to do that..) hence Arshavin, and Theo should start next to Nasri and Diabi.Sol will stay back vermalen should be very careful in his forrays, I want his cover againstthe speedy porto runners , they will scorch Sol in the open field. I am sure Sagna will start in the rightback, but also Eboue will come in later together with Rosicki for the simple reason that Arsh will not last 90min, nor clearly will Diaby. I am afraid Denilson might be called to assist , We are short again , very short.
Arsene’s non-rotation policy together with what we liked to forget in recent weeks ( the lack of cover)is coming back to bite us now in the final peak run of the season. Players are over used. Gallas will be gone now for weeks,Sol will play selectively, Fab is young and has played too much, and the CF is still a calamity and why we are such an uncertain bet.
‘break a leg’, they say before a big prformance, that means if Nick was so bad in the general rehearsal, let’s say, this may mean he will be perfect when the real show begins… a hope…
I wouldn’t mind seeing Eboue at RB with Sagna at CB. He isn’t real big, but neither is porto…more importantly he has the speed to counter hulk and the porto counter attack. He’s a solid tackler. Then play Big Sol against a MUCH slower Hull. Djourou cannot come back soon enough. I agree than Silvestre shouldn’t play against porto. Hull if necessary, but definitely not Porto.
My preferred line-up…
………………..Almunia………………..
Eboue…Sagna…Vermaelen…Clichy
…………………Song…………………..
……….Nasri……………Diaby………..
Walcott……………………….Arshavin
………………Bendtner…………………
Subs: Fabianski, Campbell, Rosicky, Traore, Eduardo, Vela, and Denilson.
4-1 to the Arsenal…Goals from: Bendtner (2), Arshavin, and Walcott.
hei dude i wonder if u realy av been watchin bent play,that guy is realy pathetic and can do nothing of any help to bail us out,instead of him arshavin shud play 9 and tha on form rosicky cme on to fill tha mid,nwei lets hope smthin gud cmes up.
Mesh,
Take it easy in NB52 (Nuclear Bomber 52). He is big and strong and will open spaces for all the others to score. I hope. Let’s support the team. What they have done this season with that many injuries is significant.
Exactly Georgi. He improves the team when he is in the squad.
i love how you are more upset about nick playing in his natural position, than me putting Sagna at cb.
Hi my blazing gunners fans,i know d gunners on d pitch today will not want to say cos skipper fab. didnt play,so they cant win,as prof.has said,no room for excuses.
Hi my blazing gunners fans,i know d gunners on d pitch today will not want to say cos skipper fab. didnt play,so they cant win,as prof.has said,no room for excuses.we just pray prof. fix d right players today.
If we can score in the initial 25 mins or so we’ll make it thru for sure.Cesc’s absence makes it all the more difficult but the likes of arshavin, nasri ,eduardo,Theo especially should stand up & perform.Hoping to celebrate tonite guys.
Today’s night might be a gud day for arsenal’s fans! Why so? The presence of arshavin,diaby,song and almunia is the indicator for winning!
Arsenal will overcome porto at home, 4 sure.
Wishing the best tonight.Lets pray that we come out tops.Go gooners go.
We dont need silvestre in arzenal’s defence.He is not with confidence at all
My preferred line-up :Aluminia,cambell,vermaelen,eboue,walcot,clichy,song,nasri,diaby,arshavin,bendtner subs :sagna,manone,vela,eduardo,rosicky and gibbs
Come on u GUNNERS, Porto rubbed us in the first leg. There will be no hidding place 4 them tonight, OPERATION NO MERCY. The last time they visited emirates they received 4 BEAUTIFUL GOALS. Tonight will not be an exception. Gunners till i die
Porto! Porto!! Porto!!! We took the guns (witout 5 key players) to u and u resisted em’ but now ur coming to meet the whole ARSENAL! Get ready for a rout!!! We the GUNNERS will rush u guys! 3 – 0. Bendtner, Arshavin, Walcott. Yes! I told u so….. ARSENAL TILL MY LAST BREATH!!!
hey how on earth do u expect bent-leg to score.of course to night is gonna be ours night.arsenal 3 – 1 porto. gunner for life.
we won by 5 goals. fantastic result to prepare for Hull