We will forever cherish the 2-0 win at San Siro, becoming the first English club to beat AC Milan on their home turf. No Arsenal fan would ever forget the goal Cesc Fabregas scored in that game and the celebration that ensued. However, both teams have come a long way since that particular match. There have been numerous changes in both teams since then and it promises to be a spectacle. Now, some would have preferred a much easier draw than Milan. Basel or Bayer Leverkusen could justifiably be considered an easier match-up than Milan.
That said, in any knock-out competition, a match over the course of 180 minutes does not always go according to the book. If we harbor any hope of winning the competition, we’ll just have to take whatever comes in our stride. There’s no point in making judgement on how this match will pan out now. There’s plenty of time for that later but safe to say, whichever team has the least number of players in the treatment room for those games will stand the highest chance of advancing.
Talking about injuries, Arsene Wenger let up on the reason for his selection of Andre Santos in the dead rubber game against Olympiakos. While the injury itself was not caused by any challenge and could just as easily happened on the training ground, it was a gamble not worth taking. For this, Wenger will have to take full responsibility. He talks about being fair to the competition but the priority should’ve been the health of his squad rather than what other teams think about his selection policy.
That there were no automatic alternatives to the left back position should have been enough to warn Wenger against selecting Santos for that game. Kieran Gibbs is only expected back for the Aston Villa game next week and that leaves us with the option of playing another game with an all centre-back line-up in defence. The news also inclusive of further complications to Carl Jenkinson’s treatment. The young right-back is now out for the considerable future with no particular date set for his return.
While their absence looks worse because of the limited number of personnel already out in those positions, arguably the biggest loss is the possible further delay of Jack Wilshere’s comeback. The latest check on him showed promising results with his scan and Wenger anticipates that Wilshere will be back by middle of February. This is where the “possible” part comes in.
Wenger was not clear with his answer and there could be two different scenarios. One is that the date given is one which Wilshere will only resume normal training and that means his playing time will be limited to those from the beginning of March onwards. This will constitute a setback. On the other hand, middle of February could also mean that he will be ready by then. If that is the case, it ties in with his availability for the European clash.
So as to not misle you, I’m absolutely happy with the current trio in midfield. Alex Song, Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta have struck up a very decent partnership in the middle of the park. An understanding of each other’s game is evident in the way they support each other in both the offensive and defensive side of the game. But the fact of the matter is, it is still 3 players playing in 3 positions.
If they are up to it (injuries permitting), I don’t mind seeing all 3 playing the entire 50 – 60 odd games that Arsenal usually have in the course of our season. However, given our history in that regard, that is unlikely to happen. There’s a need to have at least an extra individual available to slot in whenever necessary. Wilshere will definitely fall within that category of players who are capable of slotting in.
It is also asking too much of a player to expect them to perform at their optimum level, game in game out. Form is a weird thing. A player can be magnificent for 2 months but could still have a stinker in the very next game. When that happens, it would be a shame not to have another option on the bench. Apart from that, having a player of similar ilk/quality breathing down your neck and looking to usurp your place in the starting line-up could only create a healthy competition.
Of course, there’s Tomas Rosicky, Emmanuel Frimpong and Francis Coquelin who are able to cover when needed. However (I say this without undermining their qualities), they are no Wilshere. It’s a lot to be expecting so much out of someone so young but his performance last season has whetted everyone’s appetite (mine included). There is no doubt in my mind that Arsenal would be a better team with a fit Wilshere available. Let’s hope it’s the second scenario.
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