Posted April 9, 200916 yr Clichy and Almunia are likely to miss our FA Cup semi as well. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/153345-...unia-and-clichy Just as things had begun to looked promising, injuries threaten to scupper the end to what could yet be a good year for Arsenal. With Theo Walcott, Emmanuel Adebayor, and Cesc Fabregas returning from long term injuries just last week, it seems as if Arsenal were starting to resemble more of a complete team and have serious hopes of contesting for the FA Cup and UEFA Champions League. However, Arsenal have gained three and lost four. Centre back William Gallas is out for the season as is midfielder Tomas Rosicky. Gallas may well have played his last game for the club as rumours suggest he may join French side Marseille at the end of the season. The former Chelsea man has been a rock for the Gunners in recent weeks and seemed to have let past problems become bygones as he formed a good partnership with Kolo Toure. The Frenchman damaged his medial knee ligaments against Villarreal on Tuesday in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinal and will be a huge loss. Meanwhile, Tomas Rosicky will not make his long expected comeback and one has to wonder whether the Czech wonder will ever be the player of old. "Mozart" injured his knee last January—almost 15 months ago—and has not played for Arsenal since, having been dogged with knee and groin injuries. While this is sad news for the player, Arsenal should have enough cover with Theo Walcott, Samir Nasri, Andrey Arshavin, and even Emmanuel Eboue in midfield. Two more casualties of Tuesday night's game are Spanish goalkeeper Manuel Almunia and French left back Gael Clichy. Almunia sprained his ankle first against Blackburn following a heavy challenge from Diouf and this injury was aggravated against Villarreal with the Arsenal number one having to be replaced in the first half. His replacement was Polish goalkeeper Fabianski who had a good game and Arsenal fans will be confident he can fill in for the three weeks Almunia will be out. Meanwhile left back Gael Clichy suffered ankle and back injuries and is expected to be out for at least two weeks. With Abou Diaby, Robin van Persie, and Eduardo also fighting to get fit, this amounts to somewhat of an injury crisis for Arsene Wenger. In the coming week alone, Arsenal have an away game against Wigan, the second leg against Villarreal and the semifinal of the FA Cup against Chelsea. It seems as if the young troops will be called on again as Fabianski replaces Almunia while young Swiss centre back Johan Djourou seems to be the replacement of choice for William Gallas. The likely replacement for Gael Clichy is young Englishman Kieran Gibbs who has impressed on recent outings but is as yet untested in major games. There is also the option of playing the now fit Mikael Silvestre at either centre back or left back, should Wenger be worried over his young charges and big games. Either way, Arsenal fans will be praying for no more injuries to hit the Emirates.
April 9, 200916 yr Arsenal are very unlucky in terms of injuries for years. I don't know how to explain it else.
April 10, 200916 yr Good news for us with the remaining games. Im sure Villareal are liking their chances a bit more
