Thursday 12 September 2013

Interlull over, now let's count our chickens

Morning everyone.
International break is now well and truly behind us and the next one is some time away. Good. We can focus on real football now.
As is always the case, some of our players didn't make it through unscathed. I guess, it's a price you have to pay, when your squad consists of world-class footballers, but every time every one of us hopes for the better. And every time we have to patch players up, following the international break. Oh well.
The most likely candidate to miss out on our clash with Sunderland is Rosicky. He limped off midway through the first half against someone, I couldn't care less for and appears to have injured his thigh. Thus, no game for the Czech on Saturday. We still await confirmation from the manager, but I won't hold my breath.
His injury creates a shortage in our already light midfield. Cazorla, given our dearth of options on the flanks, will most likely be deployed there, so all is set up for our golden boy to be handed a start. No complaints here.
Rosicky, however, wasn't the only knackered one during qualifiers. Zelalem and Sanogo seem injured too, which creates a bench-shortage problem. Though both are clearly not ready for regular first-team action, their best chance being a Carling Cup game against West Brom at the end of the month, they at least we're there. More or less capable to cope, should push come to shove. Now we should whip Bendther into shape. Quickly.
The other doubt is Walcott. He was also substituted in his respective qualifier, though his position is not necessarily troublesome. Theo is a doubt, but only because we don't know, where we are with him.
In light of all these events, our acquisition of Flamini and Ozil seem well timed. The former had even implied he's better, than he was five years ago, likening himself to wine. Good for him. Concerning the latter, well, we all know, how good he is.
In other news, some rumors persist about us chasing players, though the transfer window is shut for good. Honestly, the papers should find something else to ramble about, cause this looks laughable.
I haven't mentioned these transfer stories for nothing, though. Talk about Chiprian Marika looks plausible enough, taking into account, he's a free agent, and thus can be signed anytime. His agent has even put a date on a deal completion, something he's been doing for some time now. We shall wait and see, what happens. Bottom line, this guy is a striker, he's young and he's free. Good fit for Wenger.
Apart from that, not much going on. Back tomorrow when we start looking ahead to Sunderland game.
Until then

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