Here we go then, into this run of three games in eight days that will prove very testing for a squad that is practically down to bare bones.
For today’s team, the only real issue is who plays on the right, and it seems more and more likely that it’s going to be Joel Campbell. As you would expect any manager to do when he’s having to pick a player who has played very little, Arsene Wenger spoke highly of the Costa Rican, saying:
I have been very impressed with Campbell, his attitude is outstanding and his daily dedication in training and his desire to improve is absolutely outstanding. I think he can be a big help for us, and he can play centre-forward don’t forget that. In the coming two to three months he can be a very important player for us.
He wasn’t great against Sheffield Wednesday, but in fairness, nobody was and he tried hard at least, chasing back, winning tackles etc. Perhaps another game, the nice words from the manager, and the fact we’re welcoming back Hector Bellerin, Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla, Francis Coquelin and Alexis might also be a help to him.
It’s the return of those players that will most impact the side of course, as well as the reversion to a back-four that has performed well. Whether he chooses Per Mertesacker or Gabriel is a question, but the great thing about that choice is that you can be confident in either of them. I suspect the fact that we’re away from home in the Premier League – still a competition that is of greater importance than the Champions League – he might well go with the BFG to provide that bit of experience and leadership, and it wouldn’t surprise me if Gabriel got the nod in Munich.
The other thing about the return of those players, beyond their obvious importance and talent, is that they’ve had a week since the Everton game to get fresh – if you like – and having that bit of extra physical zip is going to be important today.
Swansea’s form has been poor with just 1 in their last 7 games. That came last week against Aston Villa, formerly managed to Tim Sherwood of course, so it’s a little boost going into this one. All the same, we know from past experience that they’re a tricky side to play against at home. They’ve got some dangerous players, a striker that likes to celebrate like a big cat, and if we allow them chances then we’ll be punished.
It’s why the manager says:
We need a strong defensive performance as Swansea are a team who are doing very well.
Not sure about them doing well, more that they have the potential to do well, and we do have this ability to provide other teams with a kick-start from time to time. From our point of view, there’s not much to say other than we need the players who start today to make the required impact. Our bench is likely to be a keeper, 4 defenders, Flamini and perhaps someone like Alex Iwobi.
There’s not a lot there to change things around if we need to, so the onus is on them to perform and do what’s required to take the three points back to North London.
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Meanwhile, the manager has hit back at Raymond Verheijen’s criticism of our injury record. The Dutchman was Man United’s fitness coach for a season or two and is friends with Robin van Persie – just to add some context. Wenger says:
This guy looks like he knows absolutely everything. I am amazed that he knows more than all our physios and all our doctors. I trust my medical staff to do well and my coaching staff to do the fitness planning very well.
I can only invite you one day to see what work is done behind (the scenes).
Tellingly though, he said:
We have some players who are more injury-prone than others, but we are very well organised on that front.
As I alluded to yesterday, I think that could well be the thing. There’s no smoking gun, there’s no switch we can flick to make things right, it’s just that we have a lot of players who have fundamental issues with their fitness.
As for Verheijen, it’s the easiest thing in the world to criticise Arsenal’s injury record. We all do it. It’s like being an opposition politician who can promise the sun, moon and stars IF they get elected, but when push comes to shove they can’t justify it. It’s very simple to be populist and say what people want to hear. Unless you’re offering a solution, something Verheijen never does despite his many outbursts, then you’re just a mouthpiece.
And if he was so great, wouldn’t he have a job at a top club somewhere instead of spouting off in the tabloids or on TalkSport like some angry bloke who has pulled over into a lay-by on the M25?
Finally for now, there will be no recall for Serge Gnabry from his loan spell at West Brom. Primarily because the rules prohibit it, when you loan a player for the season there has to be some assurance to the loanees that this player can be counted on for the duration of the campaign. More than that though, perhaps Gnabry is experiencing something there that might do him good in the long run.
He was criticised by Tony Pulis this week who said he was not ready for Premier League football. It’s odd because two years ago he looked ready enough to play for us, but the injuries might have taken a toll, and we don’t see what’s going on in training etc. There’s probably a point to be made that he doesn’t seem like a typical Pulis player, but then that’s something many players have to go through during their career.
Arsene Wenger wants him to prove Pulis wrong:
He [Gnabry] has to change his opinion because I think Serge has the quality to play in the Premier League and it’s good that he faces this type of challenge, to change Tony Pulis’ mind, and I hope he is putting the effort in.
Over to you Serge. It’s a test of both character and ability to convince a manager who doesn’t fancy you. He might never do it, but it shouldn’t be for the want of trying.
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Right, that’s just about that. Remember, we’ll have live blog coverage of the game for you later. If you’re stuck doing Saturday things or just can’t find a stream, we’ll have up to second text commentary for you. Check back later for a post with all the info you need, or simply bookmark our live blog page which works on your computer, tablet, phone etc.
If you haven’t had a chance to listen to this week’s Arsecast, you can do that below. I chat to Tim Stillman about Joel Campbell, injuries and more, as well as all the usual waffle and nonsense to vaguely amuse you for a few minutes. What are you waiting for?
Download – Acast – iTunes – Stitcher – RSS
See you later for the game!
