Loading ...Aug 12 2008
Fábregas Out Two Weeks for Injury-Riddled Gunners
Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fábregas came out of Monday’s training with a hamstring injury which will keep him out of action for two weeks. In addition to missing Wednesday’s Champions League match with the Netherland’s FC Twente, the Gunners’ star midfielder will miss Arsenal’s Premiership opener Saturday against West Bromwich Albion.
Although it is possible he could return sooner, the club’s quoted timeframe will also see the Spaniard miss their visit their match at Fulham on August 23.
Even without Fábregas, Arsenal will be heavy favorites in all their matches over the next two weeks thanks to a fortunate Champions League draw and arguably the easiest opening schedule in the Premiership.
What looked like a lucky turn when the schedule was released now seems particularly fortuante given Arsenal’s mounting injuries. In addition to Fábregas, Arsenal will be without eight other first team players.
Tomas Rosicky and Eduardo de Silva are still recovering from long-term injuries incurred last season. Abou Diaby and recent Portuguese signee Amaury Bischoff have also suffered injuries which will have them out for prolonged periods of time.
Celebrated acquisition Samir Nasri did not travel to the Netherlands due to a knee injury. Kolo Touré is suffered from a hip problem. Center back Philippe Senderos has a hamstring problem, and center back/midfielder Alexander Song is with the Cameroon team in Beijing.
With so many injuries, Arsene Wenger will have few tactical options in the midfield and at the back when his Gunners take the pitch on Wednesday. Seventeen-year-old Aaron Ramsey will likely start in midfield, making his Arsenal competitive debut after being acquired from Cardiff City this summer. He will play in the middle with 20-year-old Brazilian Denilson, with Theo Walcott and Emmanuel Eboue out wide.
At the back, Gael Clichy, Bacary Sagna, and William Gallas will take their normal places, but with Senderos and Touré both likely unavailable, 21-year-old Johan Djourou, who spent most of last season on loan at Birmingham City, is likely to start.
Expect Emmanuel Adebayor and Robin van Persie to start up top with Manuel Alumnia in goal.
FC Twente finished fifth in last season’s Eredivisie but took the league’s second Champions League spot after winning the Dutch League’s playoff for the bid. The club is coached by former England coach Steve McClaren, who spent five seasons as coach at Middlesbrough before being named coach of the national team.
This article was posted to World Football Postulant in preparation for American Soccer Reader.
Links
Fábregas out as Arsenal hit by injury crisis
Wenger turns to Ramsey as injury woes continue
Arsenal missing Fabregas for qualifier
Fabregas joins injury list
Fabregas blow rocks Arsenal
Arsenal’s Fabregas misses FC Twente clash
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