More bad news for Arsene Wenger as surgery rules Thomas Vermaelen out for two months. A hamstring strain makes Theo Walcott a doubt for England’s game with Wales, while Andrei Arshavin has his say on the Emirates transfers over the summer. Joseph Yobo joins the Everton exodus and heads for old club Fenerbache and Hatim Ben Arfa returns to first-team training for Newcastle. Here’s this morning’s Scribbles:
Only a day after Jack Wilshere was ruled out for a further three months due to an ankle problem, Arsene Wenger has been dealt another bitter injury blow. This morning has brought the news that Thomas Vermaelen had surgery on his left Achilles yesterday and will be out of action for two months. Vermaelen was out for virtually all of last season due to a problem with his right Achilles and Wenger will be hoping the same scenario doesn’t apply here. Per Mertersacker’s presence at the heart of the Gunners back-four will be even more significant in light of this news.
There’s more injury worry for the Arsenal boss- reports indicate Theo Walcott is struggling with a hamstring strain. The winger may be forced out of England’s midweek match with Wales and Fantasy managers will have concerns over this one- he’s looked in great form of late and has Swansea at home this weekend.
Andrei Arshavin has been having his say on the Gunners summer of player exits. The Russian is quoted to have described the loss of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasr as “a catastrophe†and is of the opinion that Arsenal’s style of play is bound to change as a result:
” We have no-one so comfortable with passing the ball to Robin van Persie or who ideally utilises the qualities of the other forwards. With Arteta or whoever replaces those who have left, we will play different football, not as we played with Cesc and Samir.
Arteta and Benayoun have long proved themselves in the Premier League, they’re not bad signings. And we needed strengthening in those positions. Perhaps another holding midfielder wouldn’t hurt and, as far as I know, we were trying till the last minute to get M’Vila, but unfortunately we weren’t able to buy him.
Judging by the quantity and quality of our signings, Arsenal’s football will soon undergo some changes.
Micah Richards has given Roberto Mancini an injury boost ahead of this weekend’s home game with Wigan. The right-back limped out of the England squad with a hamstring twinge but has already started light training back with Man City and reckons he’ll be fit for the match against the Latics:
I felt a bit of tightness in the hamstring and it is not something I want to take any chances with. I missed some games last season with a similar problem and thought it best to be as cautious as possible. I have had the injury looked at and I am confident I will be available for the Wigan game at the weekend.
Everton’s Joseph Yobo has joined former club Fenerbache on a season-long loan. The centre half has been a somewhat peripheral figure in recent times for David Moyes’ side and his move is another step in easing the Toffees crippling debts.
The Sunderland future of Asamoah Gyan continues to look uncertain. Galatasaray failed in a loan-deal attempt before the closure of the Turkish transfer window last night and Marseille have claimed he was offered to them last week. The Ghanaian has been linked with Spurs and admitted yesterday:
“It is normal to be excited when a club such as Tottenham is interested, however I have a contract somewhere and I intend to honour that.”
Hatim Ben Arfa has returned to first-team training with Newcastle. Given the Frenchman’s appalling luck with injuries since his move to St James’ Park last season, Newcastle are unwilling to put a date on his likely comeback and will continue to monitor his progress
Reports suggest Wolves are looking to snap up James McFadden. The player is a free agent after his contract at Birmingham ended and Mick McCarthy is rumoured to be eyeing up the Scot as he looks to provide competition for Matt Jarvis and Stephen Hunt out wide.
