It seems as if thee is no end to Arsena’s misery when it comes to deal with injuries to key players. The Gunners have been rocked with two fresh blows as Mathieu Debuchy and Mikel Arteta have been sidelined for three months. The recent developments come at a testing time for Arsene Wenger’s side who travel to the Etihad stadium to take on reigning Champions Manchester City on Sunday.
The report suggests that Arteta undewent a surgery to his left ankle to remove a bony spur. It had been causing the club captain significant inflammation and discomfort over the recent months. The Spaniard is now expected to begin his rehabilitation period and will miss out on the action for three months.
Arsene Wenger said, “Mikel has had surgery which went well. I have just seen him, he is back with us at the training ground. He had a limited mobility in his ankle and some persistent inflammation that had an impact on his calf. That meant we had to make the decision to have surgery and it’s a proper solution which gives him the best chance to recover.”
Right back Mathieu Debuchy too underwent a shoulder surgery after suffering a dislocated shoulder against Stoke City last Sunday. The Frenchman has now had to endear two surgeries this season. In fact Debuchy had regained full fitness and played 7 games and is now out again for a significant time.
Mathieu Debuchy has won more aerial duels per game this season (4.4) than any other right-back in the Premier League. pic.twitter.com/1kGLHMclbY
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 15, 2015
More than Arteta’s unavailability, it will be Debuchy’s absence that will hurt the Gunners more. In 10 league appearances this season, Debuchy has played in just one Arsenal loss, conceding just 13 goals. They hardly have a replacement in the right back slot with Carl Jenkinson on loan till the end of the season at West Ham. This would effectively mean Calum Chambers Hector Bellerin filling up the role.
Chambers was sick for the Stoke game but is expected to be back soon. Wenger had earlier notified, “Chambers was sick. I took him with the team but I decided at the last minute to leave him out of the squad because he’s been sick in the last two days.”
Arteta’s injury however could Francis Coquelin and Mathieu Flamini making up the numbers. Aaraon Ramsey is back to full fitness but the Gunners are in desperate need of a central defensive midfielder who can shield the back four and break down opposition attacks. They have agreed a £2.5m transfer deal for Legia Warsaw midfielder Krystian Bielik but it is highly unlikely that the 17 year odl will break into the first eleven.
So could we Wenger go for Sporting Lisbon’s William Carvalho? The Portuguese is one of the hottest young prospects in Europe and could bring stability to Arsenal. However will Wenger spend big in January?
Premier League teams on ALERT.
William Carvalho says his dream is to make move to England: http://t.co/Ay2ZA2DnJI pic.twitter.com/39SrzPy8YR
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTSUSA) January 13, 2015
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