ARSENAL IN CRISIS AFTER CESC RULED OUT
Arsene Wenger's stubborn refusal to strengthen his squad this summer has rebounded on the Arsenal manager as Cesc Fabregas is one of nine players to miss tonight's must-not-lose Champions League qualifier against FC Twente.
The Spaniard - rushed back into duty after an extended break following Euro 2008 - has injured his hamstring and will miss the first two weeks of the season.
With Abou Diaby out with his fourth separate muscle injury of the year, and Wenger declining to reinforce his midfield this summer beyond recruiting Aaron Ramsey, it means that the Frenchman has no option but to start the 17-year-old rookie alongside Denilson.
"You try to rush the fitness when you have Champions League qualifiers and some of them get injuries," Wenger acknowledged. "That's what has happened with Cesc [who only returned on July 29 from the European Championship]. It's the most problematic start to a season numbers-wise. We are short of one player and I hope to do something this week or before the transfer deadline."
In defence, Johan Djourou, thought to be fifth-choice for the position, will partner William Gallas after Kolo Toure suffered a hip injury in training. Philippe Senderos is also out and faces a scan to determine the severity of his hamstring strain.
"I'm not panicking because we have worked very hard with these young players to build them up. Djourou for example will play: if he cannot play one game like this one then we are wasting our time."
Samir Nasri is also unavailable, but Wenger hopes that the French playmaker and Toure will be available for Saturday's Premier League fixture with West Brom.
Nonetheless, after the Gunners' title hopes were wrecked last season by injuries, there will be consternation - and bafflement - that Arsenal are already on the verge of a crisis even before the new league season has begun.
Aside from being deprived of pre-season injury victims Fabregas, Diaby, Nasri and Senderos, Wenger also faces a long wait before Tomas Rosicky, Eduardo da Silva and Amaury Bischoff return to action, while Alex Song remians at the Olympic Games with Cameroon.
BKN ARSENAL SAJA..CLUB2 LAIN PON BNYK PLAYERS YG INJURED...SEPATUTNYA AWL2 MUSIM,FAKTOR CMNI XTIMBUL...SBB BOLEH MERENCATKAN PRESTASI SATU2 TEAM....
TP BENDA CMNI XDPT DIDUGA..
Favoured: 0
