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August 15, 2009

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Injury problems dog Arsenal ahead of the season opener

Source: Agencies | August 15, 2009, Saturday | Print Edition

ARSENAL'S injury woes mounted ahead of the season opener away to Everton today with backup goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski sidelined for two months as he recovers from knee surgery and defender Johan Djourou out for a month.

Manager Arsene Wenger said yesterday that Fabianski had surgery because of cartilage problems, leaving the Gunners short of options.

Reserve team goalkeepers Vito Mannone and Wojciech Szczesny are the only understudies to Manuel Almunia. Djourou is also sidelined with a knee injury and midfielder Abou Diaby has a groin injury.

New signing Thomas Vermaelen will be available to make his competitive debut at center back after recovering from a hamstring problem.

Midfielder Tomas Rosicky is out for two weeks with a hamstring injury and Theo Walcott (back) will also be unavailable for today's match at Goodison Park.

Rosicky's injury comes on the heels of the Czech international's comeback during the preseason after nearly 18 months out with a recurring hamstring problem.

Arsenal is also without midfielder Samir Nasri, who broke a bone in his right leg during preseason training in Austria, for up to three months.

Meanwhile, Fernando Torres signed new four-year contract with Liverpool.

The Spain striker had agreed to the new deal in May but departed for the Confederations Cup in South Africa without having signed it.
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