The Gunners will be without their inspirational midfielder Jack Wilshere, as he suffers an ankle injury ahead of the crucial Champions League tie on Wednesday.
Arsenal face Bayern Munich in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16, the London side already have a himalayan of a task to accomplish being 3-1 down to the Bavarians , and will now have to do it without their star man Jack Wilshere.
The 21 year old injured his left ankle in last week’s North London derby against Tottenham, the prodigal midfielder will be now out for a minimum of three weeks, missing the Bayern as well as the Swansea match. He will also not be part of the England squad to face San Marino and Montenegro in World Cup qualifying matches.
The news was confirmed by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger who speaking to a press conference on Tuesday reiterated:
“Jack Wilshere is out, He has an inflamed ankle. I could see in the last couple of games he had started to dig deep. He has played 30 games. For us it is not welcome but maybe for him it is not bad that he has a little breather."
Wilshere is understood to have sustained the injury before the Spurs match but insisted on playing against Tottenham, with Arsene and the coaches giving in to his demands.
Arsenal are now in the danger of losing their most influential player this season, who’s loss will be surely felt given the tough fixtures they face ahead. Arsenal are currently on the verge of being knocked out of the Champions League trailing 3-1 to Bayern Munich. Their top four berth also looks unlikely with every passing week, and the Gunners are currently fifth in the table behind their London counterparts Tottenham and Chelsea.
The midfielder who returned to the side in October last year, has played part in 23 games since then starting almost every of Arsenal’s match. Even though he has capped his performances with just two goals and four assists, his significance to the side is immeasurable.
Apart from Wilshere French full back Bacary Sagna has also been ruled out of Wednesday’s fixture, with Carl Jenkinson and Laurent Koscielny the likely contenders to deputize for the 30 year old.
However there is some good news for the Gunners with Kieran Gibbs likely to be back in the side after suffering a lengthy lay off. Even though he has been out for quite some time, Gibbs is expected to be rushed into the side given Arsenal’s lack of defensive options and Wenger’s reluctance to play Vermaelen out of position.
“He is back in the squad” commented the Frenchman on Gibbs “It is great to have him back because we play Vermaelen out of position, although he can play left back. I have not decided if Kieran will start, but hopefully he will be fit to start.”
Arsenal’s injury prone midfielder Abou Diaby could also make a return to the side, as he faces a late fitness test on Wednesday.
The 21 year old injured his left ankle in last week’s North London derby against Tottenham, the prodigal midfielder will be now out for a minimum of three weeks, missing the Bayern as well as the Swansea match. He will also not be part of the England squad to face San Marino and Montenegro in World Cup qualifying matches.
The news was confirmed by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger who speaking to a press conference on Tuesday reiterated:
“Jack Wilshere is out, He has an inflamed ankle. I could see in the last couple of games he had started to dig deep. He has played 30 games. For us it is not welcome but maybe for him it is not bad that he has a little breather."
Wilshere is understood to have sustained the injury before the Spurs match but insisted on playing against Tottenham, with Arsene and the coaches giving in to his demands.
Arsenal are now in the danger of losing their most influential player this season, who’s loss will be surely felt given the tough fixtures they face ahead. Arsenal are currently on the verge of being knocked out of the Champions League trailing 3-1 to Bayern Munich. Their top four berth also looks unlikely with every passing week, and the Gunners are currently fifth in the table behind their London counterparts Tottenham and Chelsea.
The midfielder who returned to the side in October last year, has played part in 23 games since then starting almost every of Arsenal’s match. Even though he has capped his performances with just two goals and four assists, his significance to the side is immeasurable.
Apart from Wilshere French full back Bacary Sagna has also been ruled out of Wednesday’s fixture, with Carl Jenkinson and Laurent Koscielny the likely contenders to deputize for the 30 year old.
However there is some good news for the Gunners with Kieran Gibbs likely to be back in the side after suffering a lengthy lay off. Even though he has been out for quite some time, Gibbs is expected to be rushed into the side given Arsenal’s lack of defensive options and Wenger’s reluctance to play Vermaelen out of position.
“He is back in the squad” commented the Frenchman on Gibbs “It is great to have him back because we play Vermaelen out of position, although he can play left back. I have not decided if Kieran will start, but hopefully he will be fit to start.”
Arsenal’s injury prone midfielder Abou Diaby could also make a return to the side, as he faces a late fitness test on Wednesday.
