Injury Update

Carl Jenkinson is having a scan today but Wenger has pretty much ruled him out for Stoke, Gibbs, Vermaelen and Diaby are all two weeks away from a return.

When Thomas Vermaelen is fit and ready to play, what will Wenger do with him?

Slot him straight back into the defence and move Koscielny to right back?

Slot him back in and drop either Mertesacker or Koscielny?

Let me back boss.......

Leave our central defensive pairing alone and keep the Belgian on the bench?

Or will he do what many fans suggest and play him in the centre of midfield?

Tough one isn’t it?

Most agree that the pairing of Koscielny and Mertesacker is starting to gel, even Martin Keown has noticed improvements and Wednesday was possibly their best game together this season, yes a few hiccups on the ground but in the air, I think they won pretty much everything, something we haven’t been able to brag about for ages…

So would it be the right thing to do to ‘drop’ either?

The injury to Sagna and now Jenkinson may make it an easier decision for the manager to make but if Jenkinson’s injury is not serious and he’s soon back playing, what happens then?

Continue with the young Englishman, or subtly let him know that he’s not quite ready yet by moving Koscielny to right back in any case and play Vermaelen with Mertesacker in the middle?

Like I said, it’s a tough one isn’t it?

I think the worst case scenario is having our best three central defenders playing at one time, what happens if any pick up an injury, we would then be back to Djourou, Miquel or even worse, Squillaci.

Following Wednesdays match in France, Sue Campbell, head of Arsenal Travel has heaped praise on the travelling fans:

The fans were fantastic and did us proud. They worked with us and Marseille in advance to understand what was required and followed the guidelines perfectly.

They were tremendous ambassadors for the Club.

About time too I say, our away fans have been immense, especially this season when things are not all as rosy as they once were…

Talking of which, many of us still hope for just a couple of signings to be made in January, some have even suggested we could sell one or two in the same transfer window as well.  One name that has been discussed is Chamakh but Arsene Wenger has confirmed he’s here for the foreseeable….

Marouane is not going anywhere; there is not a problem with Chamakh.

He is fighting for the position with Robin van Persie who is in great form at the moment. He will get his chance, we have so many games.

Chamakh doesn’t want out either, he’s said:

I love this club and I will do all I can to be a success here with Arsenal, I am working hard to reach my level.

Finally, Bobby Pires has given Lucho Gonzalez a bit of advice and told him he should have moved in the summer to Arsenal…

Tactically you work a lot, and Wenger makes you work on your qualities – he is perfect.

Ah Bobby, I do miss you but did you ever learn what the word ‘parfaite’ means in English 😉