Arsene Wenger praises Gervinho’s effect on Robin Van Persie’s game. Steven Gerrard is making good progress from an ankle problem but continues to be sidelined, while Brendan Rodgers talks up the importance of Joe Allen to Swansea’s style of play.
While there’s no doubt the star of Arsenal’s season has been Robin Van Persie, Arsene Wenger has taken time out to hail the influence of Gervinho on his new-look team. The Ivorian has improved as the campaign has progressed, with 5 assists, a goal and 5 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) bonus points in his last five games indicative of his displays. Wenger reckons the summer signing from Lille has been a pivotal part of his side’s attacking ploy, with his movement up front one of the reasons for Van Persie’s outstanding season:
He is vital for us because Robin likes to go to the ball and Gervinho likes to go into the space so they always push defenders back. That gives us space in midfield to create for Robin. Overall I am very happy.
Ashley Cole suffered an ankle injury in training prior to Chelsea’s defeat in Leverkusen last night. Jose Bosingwa stepped in at left-back, with Branislav Ivanovic once again the preferred choice at right-back. According to the club’s official website, Cole has a 60% chance of featuring against Wolves this weekend, with Bosingwa his likely replacement against Mick McCarthy’s side.
Joe Riley has been ruled out of Bolton’s home clash with Everton on Saturday. The youngster has started the last two games at right-back but has failed to sufficiently recover from a hamstring problem picked up in training. Gretar Steinsson is looks the most obvious replacement, with Dedryk Boyata just back in light training, according to Owen Coyle.
Steven Gerrard is making good progress from an ankle infection but is still unavailable for selection, according to Kenny Dalglish. The Liverpool skipper has missed the last three league matches and will sit out the home showdown with Man City this Sunday. Jack Robinson is the only other player set to miss out as the Reds aim to end the last unbeaten record in the Premier League.
Joe Allen is expected to start for Swansea at home to Aston Villa this weekend. The midfielder has been sparkling form for the Welsh outfit over the last few weeks, returning 2 goals, 2 assists and 7 bonus points for his Fantasy owners but a calf problem meant he was used as a second half substitute in last week’s clash with Man United. Brendan Rodgers is clearly a big fan of Allen, admitting:
We could not play Joe from the start of the game because our squad is only thin and we cannot afford to lose someone like him. Joe has been outstanding for us in that position this season. Joe is influential for us, and he is also a reference point for our pressing game, which is crucial in that midfield area.
Tony Pulis received a welcome boost as he looks to address a run of five losses in the last six games this weekend at home to Blackburn. Wilson Palacios has declared he is fit and available for selection and could bolster the Potters midfield at the Britannia on Saturday- the Honduran has played just forty minutes in the league so far this season for Stoke.
The Mirror reported this morning that Wayne Rooney is less than 50% likely to face Newcastle this weekend. Rooney is receiving intensive treatment on a hip injury picked up in a clash with Swansea keeper Michel Vorm last Saturday and missed the midweek Champions League game with Benfica.
Alex McLeish has admitted he is wary of becoming overly-reliant on Aston Villa’s youngsters this season. Despite some impressive showing from his less-experienced players, Big Eck hinted he is looking for his senior players to step up in performance, saying:
Guys like Chris Herd and Barry Bannan are getting a crash course in the Premier League. To rely on these kids for the whole season is putting a lot of pressure on them. (Herd) has certainly shown the mental toughness to handle it. He’s developing but let’s not put too much pressure on him. Sometimes he will have to get a rest. That’s the challenge that’s ahead of us.
McLeish is keen for his youngsters to gain experience elsewhere, though. Gary Gardner has joined Coventry on loan until the 3rd January. He joins the likes of Nathan Baker, Shane Lowry and Habib Beye, who have all left Villa on loan deals over the last few days.
Nicklas Bendtner has hinted he may be prepared to consider a permanent move to Sunderland when his loan move from Arsenal expires at the end of the season. The Gunners are keen to sell and Bendtner is determined to seek pastures new and although the big Dane has scored just 2 league goals since moving from the Emirates, he’s been satisfied with his displays so far:
As a player you should have ambition – I’m sure every player wants to play in the Champions League – but I haven’t ruled out staying here at Sunderland. As I’ve said before, I just want to enjoy the year I have here and then see what happens in the summer. I am enjoying being the focal point. There’s definitely more to come, I think that it’s going to be a natural development going forward, because it’s been a while since I played. It’s going really well, so I just want to win a few more games and add to my goal tally.
