Diaby Out as Wenger Mulls Rotation
The plot is thickening down at the Emirates - and it’s not looking good for fantasy managers. Wenger has announced today that he has now lost Diaby for the rest of the season after he ruptured a tendon in his thigh in a reserve outing on Monday. He joins the suspended Hleb on the sidelines [source]. Worse still, Wenger has hinted at a rotation policy for those players involved in Euro 2008.
“Sagna and Flamini are not back so basically it will be the same squad as last week,” confirmed Wenger today in his pre-match press conference for the Derby game. That at least confirms the fitness of Toure at the back, while Almunia has also recovered from his thumb injury. However, Wenger has previously hinted here that he could hand Fabianski a start in goal for the remaining games.
“Almunia is available again but I have not decided what I will do with the goalkeepers yet.”
Thanks for that Arsene. To make matters worse, Wenger has also hinted that he is mulling over the idea of resting his players that are involved in Euro 2008 for part of the final three games.
“Maybe I’ll have to give the players who go to the European Championships a little breather before they go.”
That would cast a cloud of rest and rotation over the likes of Gallas, Senderos, Clichy, Bendtner, Van Persie, Flamini and…gulp…Fabregas.
And here I thought I’d been so clever by drafting in Diaby to cover for Hleb’s season-ending ban. Oh well. Anybody’s guess who’ll play for the Gunners now. Merida? That would be interesting…
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As an Arsenal supporter and fantasy manager, I find this attitude of not pushing for a second place finish quite pathetic.
One could make some disparaging comments about the French and their stomach for a fight, but I will resist the urge. Should he rest Fab this weekend, you have been forwarned.
Cheers,
-TheNecromancer
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Reply by Dave on April 24, 2008 5:25 pm:
But Ade’s not part of Euro 2008, so shouldn’t he be safe? He can’t bloody rest them all.
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Reply by Dutchy on April 25, 2008 8:22 am:
I couldn’t agree with you more Necromancer!!!
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The key word in the above report is “maybe”.
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Reply by TheNecromancer on April 24, 2008 7:12 pm:
Puffin-one:
I agree, but Arsenal are not paying these guys to “maybe” rest and be a bit fresher for Euro 2008.
Cheers,
TheN
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what a horrible time in fantasy league! Please wenger just play a full strength side at derby for a last huge points haul…i got van persie cesc and adebayor…GULP!
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With Hleb,Rosicky, Flamini and Diaby out I think we can rest easy that Captain Fab will play!
And Adebayor looks a certainty, too
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Reply by Alex on April 24, 2008 7:24 pm:
He could always play Denilson, Gilberto and Eboue in midfield with Walcott, Van Persie and Adebayor up front.
It may be unlikely, but it’s possible. So Fab could be out.
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Reply by Mark on April 24, 2008 7:32 pm:
Agree with TheMoz - I’m going with -
Fabianski; Toure, Song, Gallas, Clichy; Walcott, Fabregas, Gilberto, Denilson; Van Persie, Adebayor.
Bendtner for Vp could be a possibility, and Traore could figure on the left. Fab and Ade should be safe for this one at least though.
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Reply by Dave on April 24, 2008 7:36 pm:
Are you confident enough about that to recommend Fab for the captaincy?
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Reply by Mark on April 24, 2008 7:45 pm:
I’m about 90% on Fabregas playing I reckon, although I’ll have to sleep on it and soak up some more team news tomorrow before I’m going to make the brave step of losing everyone their mini-league with the Captain decision. It’s clearly going to be a slight gamble - but a popular one with those chasing the leader.
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Reply by Alex on April 24, 2008 7:47 pm:
Well, I am the leader in my league, but I’m just not confident Ronaldo will get big points this GW.
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Reply by CK on April 24, 2008 7:50 pm:
Also - who do you all reckon is the safest Arsenal defender to buy this week? Toure?
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Reply by Mark on April 24, 2008 7:59 pm:
If he’s confirmed as fit - which he looks like he is based on Wenger’s comments on his squad today, then I would say yep, Toure is safest either at right or centre back.
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Just a thought… surely RVP won’t be rested? That’s the last thing he needs. I’m probably going to take a 4 point hit for him and hope he partners Adebeyor, but Walcott is also tempting as he must be a dead cert to start.
Also, I can see Fabregas getting a 25 point haul now that you’ve sewed doubts in to the minds of your entire readership, so I think I’ll stick with him as captain. It’ll be a long wait over the weekend though, I just hope that in the meantime his mother doesn’t fall ill or anything…
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