Friday, March 29, 2024

3 Things We Learnt: Manchester United 2-1 Arsenal

2. Arsenal’s injury crisis is far from over

Embed from Getty Images

It would appear that Arsenal’s injury crisis is far from over. After losing Gabriel Paulista for two to three weeks to a hamstring injury in the QPR match on 4 March, last night Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also hobbled off the field with a hamstring injury.

Ironically, I understand that The Ox may have stood in for an injured Tomas Rosicky (although he’s not listed on Arsenal’s injury update). We now hear The Ox could be out for four weeks. This season he’s already missed 36 days, which equated to seven games, due to a groin strain.

The last player to succumb to injury was Mathieu Flamini during the FA Cup match against Middlesbrough on 15 February. Again, this was a hamstring injury but it sounds like Flamini may return in the next couple of weeks. Could this be down to Arsene Wenger’s method of training? I’m no expert but do believe that something is seriously amiss.

What also concerns me is that our captain, Mikel Arteta, has not yet recovered from the ankle injury picked up in November 2014; though it’s understandable that Jack Wilshere’s injury will take longer to heal after having surgery. Mathieu Debuchy, who dislocated his shoulder after being slammed into the advertising hoardings by Stoke midfielder Marko Arnautovic, still has a number of weeks to go before being fit enough to grace the pitch with his presence.

I haven’t voiced concern over Abou Diaby or Serge Gnabry as both have been almost permanently injured since signing for Arsenal. However, roll on the day when the whole of the Arsenal squad is fit and healthy and bereft of all injury!

Explore more