Theo Walcott should be fit to lineup against United at the weekend according to Arsene Wenger.
The Arsenal boss opened up on his worries in today’s press conference prior to the Fenerbahce game and he was quick to announce that Walcott and Gallas could well return to face United. Sagna is also fit and should get back to action tomorrow. Wenger, in a forthright mood, then went on to blame his latest array of injuries on poor old Stoke in what was a rather colourful day for the press at the Emirates…
“[Walcott, Adebayor and Gallas] are all injured,” revealed Wenger. “It is not more serious than that. Gallas and Walcott are short-term but Adebayor is a bit longer, Eboue as well.”
Would any of those return against United then? “Gallas and especially Walcott,” was Wenger’s answer.
The Arsenal boss then made his feelings felt regarding the weekend clash with Stoke and the treatment dished out by the home side. Wenger was adamant that the tackles going in at the Britannia Stadium were far from fair.
“Do you think (Rory) Delap tried to play the ball when he tackled Walcott? Or that (Ryan) Shawcross tried to play the ball when he tackled Adebayor off the pitch. All the players have been injured deliberately,” raged the Gunners boss.
He went on to list a catalogue of players he’s lost to injury, all of which were down to some first class hacking according to his claims…
“Do you want me to tell you the players we have lost here? Diaby, deliberate foul from behind, Rosicky, deliberate foul, Eduardo, deliberate foul. Now we lose Walcott, deliberate foul and we have lost Sagna – deliberate foul on him”.
Given that Van Persie came off the bench to clatter Sorensen unceremoniously on his arse on his own goal line, it all appears a little blinkered from Wenger. Still, the Arsenal boss is certainly excellent value these days.
Back to the Arsenal team news, and Sagna’s “knock” against Stoke shouldn’t stop him taking his place at right back tomorrow night. Bendtner is set to start up front tomorrow and against United this weekend, with Adebayor’s ankle injury likely to keep him sidelined for “a bit longer”. Van Persie will figure tomorrow but is suspended for the next three domestic matches – United, Wigan in the Carling Cup and Aston Villa.
Only today Bendtner has revealed his determination to take his opportunity. Given the desperation that Arsenal will need to show at the weekend, you can see Arsenal notching one or two goals, so Bendtner looks a decent short-term prospect. He’s priced at just 5.3 in the FPL game.