Arsenal is through to the knockout stages of the Champions League after beaten Standard Liege 2-0, but the win was costly won for the Gunners.
Kieran Gibbs was the victim of a bad tackle, and has fractured the first metatarsal in his left foot. Gibbs will be out or action for around three months, leaving a huge hole in the left side of Arsenal’s defense ahead of the weekend crash with Chelsea and next week’s Carling Cup trip to Eastlands.
Also injured in the game were William Gallas and Andrey Arshavin after the pair clashed in mid-air while challenging for a cross from Cesc Fabregas.
“Gallas has an ankle problem and a swollen eye,” said Wenger. “I think he will recover for Sunday, we hope so. It wasn’t concussion but he couldn’t see anymore because his eye was swollen. “Arshavin has some staples in his head. He will be available for Sunday.”
Hopefully Gallas can recover in time for Sunday’s must win game against Chelsea. Losing Clichy and Gibbs is bad enough. Losing Galas also, would not make me very hopeful about getting the result we need.
As for the game, Arsenal won without playing particularly well. The first goal after from a long ball from Vermaelen was mishandled by the Liege defender and Nasri was able to run through and score.
The second goal came after another Leige mistake. Denilson’s 25 yards out free-kick was somehow parried into his own net by Keeper Sinan Bolat,
Overall it was a comfortable Arsenal win. Now we turn our attention to the next two games. Two games that could decide whether the Gunners can win any silverware this season.
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I thought Arsenal did not play well and vastly overdid this one-touch football (not for the first time). The first 2 0r 3 moves are attractive to watch, but then the next moves are so increasingly fast all control is lost and the ball is eventually surrendered to the opposition. We must get into a shooting position much quicker and, having done so, SHOOT. We get away with it against some Euro sides but not so often in the EPL.
I believe Emmanuel Eboue is capable stand in for the left back position. Gallas return from injury to face Chelsea will be a big boost.
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