Wenger rues injuries ahead of derby day
Print Edition
ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger is “very concerned” with a mounting injury list and confirmed that Hector Bellerin will miss tomorrow’s North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur, while Laurent Koscielny faces a late fitness test.
Arsenal has a number of first-team players out injured, including right-back Bellerin and central defender Koscielny, whose absence was felt in the 1-5 midweek defeat by Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
“We might have Laurent Koscielny back but Hector Bellerin won’t be available,” Wenger said at his pre-match news conference yesterday.
“I’m very concerned. Because we are only in November and we have so many players out. We go into the Christmas period and I am concerned because we have too many players out.”
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (hamstring), Theo Walcott (calf), and Aaron Ramsey (hamstring) are out until after the international break, while Jack Wilshere (ankle) is expected to return in mid-December.
Long-term absentees Tomas Rosicky (knee) and Danny Welbeck (knee) are scheduled to return in January
The Gunners go into the derby hoping to recover from their midweek mauling in Munich, which has left their hopes of progressing to the Champions League knockout stages hanging by a thread.
Arsenal is second in the table on 25 points after 11 games, below leader Manchester City on goal difference.
Meanwhile, the chorus of disapproval that strikes up every time Manchester United struggles to find the net is having a negative effect on the players, manager Louis van Gaal said.
Three consecutive 0-0 draws preceded Tuesday’s home clash with CSKA Moscow in the Champions League and fans voiced their displeasure as van Gaal’s side toiled to break down the Russians before Wayne Rooney’s late winner ended a 404-minute stretch without scoring.
United has scored only 15 goals in 11 Premier League games, the lowest total of the top seven, and needs a victory at home to West Bromwich Albion today to maintain the pressure on City and Arsenal.
Speaking at his Friday news conference, the Dutchman said the fans should direct their ire at him, not the players.
“Supporters have to support otherwise they make it more difficult for the players,” van Gaal said.
“It’s very difficult to play for Manchester United with a lot of pressure and you can taste that in Old Trafford because of all the yelling, so it’s better to whistle the manager, I can cope with it.”
“Criticism (from) the fans is never unfair, and you cannot criticize the feeling of the fans. I think we have to play for the fans,” added the former Bayern Munich and Barcelona coach.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
