Mikel Arteta has been ruled out of Arsenal’s home game with Villa. Andre Villas-Boas is set to be without Gareth Bale for Spurs’ trip to Palace, where Jerome Thomas is sidelined for a couple of weeks for the hosts, Liverpool have good news on the defensive front and Southampton are still doubtful over Nathaniel Clyne and Luke Shaw.
Our team news section has been updated on the back of the latest press conferences and will be refreshed as today unfolds – keep an eye on this and our twitter feed ahead of what is set to be a hectic next 24-hours for Fantasy managers:
Arsene Wenger will head into tomorrow’s match against Aston Villa without the influential Mikel Arteta. Speaking to the press in the last hour, the Gunners boss admitted he is uncertain when the Spaniard will return, though according to The Mail, the playmaker could be out for up to six weeks with the injury – potentially handing spot-kicks duties to Lukas Podolski and forcing Jack Wilshere into a deeper role alongside fit-again Aaron Ramsey in front of the back-four.
Although he ruled out the likes of Thomas Vermaelen, Nacho Monreal and Ryo Miyaichi, Wenger failed to mention Theo Walcott, Bacary Sagna or Santi Cazorla this morning. The first two had picked up minor problems on international duty, while Cazorla was late flying back from Spain’s match in Ecuador amid worries of fatigue – Fantasy managers will be optimistic the trio are fine, then, though some confirmation would have gone a long way to easing our fears as we finalise our squads.
Elsewhere in north London, Andre Villas-Boas looks set to be without Gareth Bale for Tottenham’s trip to Crystal Palace on Sunday. The Welshman hasn’t played for three weeks due to injury and, when asked whether he would be available to face Ian Holloway’s side, Villas-Boas replied:
“No, because he’s been out injured for most of pre-season. He was involved in the games against Brentford and Swindon but not any others, for different reasons; pulled a muscle in his gluteus that prevented him from being involved for two weeks and he’s been complaining of pain in the foot. I think the most natural thing is to see him not involved against Palace.”
With Bale out of the equation, it’s possible that Gylfi Sigurdsson could tuck in behind Roberto Soldado, with Nacer Chadli on the left, if the visitors line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, though the Belgian has also been fielded in “the hole” during pre-season. Alternatively, Villas-Boas may opt for the 4-3-3 shape he preferred at Porto – a scenario that could see Paulinho as the most advanced central option, with Sandro, Mousa Dembele and new boy Etienne Capoue offering plenty dynamism in the middle of the park.
Brendan Rodgers has received some positive news ahead of Liverpool’s early kick-off with Stoke tomorrow. The Reds boss expects both Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel to be fit to face the Potters, though while the Dane will return to the starting XI, Skrtel is likely to warm the bench – Kolo Toure is firmly ahead of the Slovakian in the pecking order and has started every pre-season friendly he has been available for.
Martin Jol will hand Alex Kacaniklic a late fitness test as Fulham make their way to Sunderland. The Cottagers boss has admitted Adel Taarabt’s fitness is still an issue and with the Moroccan only likely to make the bench, Kacaniklic could be in line for a starting role on the left wing providing he gets the all clear after impressing in pre-season, according to his manager.
Southampton full-back pair Nathaniel Clyne and Luke Shaw both remain doubts for tomorrow’s trip to West Brom. Speaking to the press yesterday, Mauricio Pochettino revealed the pair are making good progress:
“We’re very happy because Luke has responded well throughout the week. With one training session left tomorrow, I think he could be in the 18 players called up for the game against West Brom. Clyney has been recovering from a little niggle that he’s had since Austria. [His involvement] depends on the training session tomorrow but, if he’s not in the group for West Brom, he’ll be most probably available for the game after. “
Clyne pulled out of the midweek England Under 21 game against Scotland after being withdrawn in last weekend’s friendly win over Real Sociedad, while Clyne has yet to feature over the summer. Pochettino may turn to Danny Fox and Callum Chambers in the event of any potential absence and the Saints boss also conceded he has yet to assess the fitness of Gaston Ramirez and Maya Yoshida, who both featured in the Japan v Uruguay friendly on Wednesday.
Michael Laudrup was awaiting the return of Wilfried Bony yesterday, after Swansea’s new forward turned out for Ivory Coast against Mexico in New Jersey in the early hours of Thursday morning. Laudrup – who will be without Jonathan de Guzman due to concussion – seemed far from happy with the situation as he prepares for tomorrow evening’s match against United:
“Bony will be back late on Thursday with jetlag, which is not great. To play for your country is great and the club should be proud of all our internationals, but having a friendly three days before the start of the season is strange. This is the last year when it will happen fortunately. That’s an intelligent decision.”
Ian Holloway handed Fantasy managers a heads-up after announcing Jerome Thomas is ruled out for two weeks with the ankle problem that saw him limp off against Lazio after just 22 minutes last weekend. Yannick Bolasie added to Palace’s boss with a hamstring injury that will keep him out “for some time”, according to the Eagles boss. With his options on the flanks limited, Holloway could keep faith with Jonny Williams as an option out wide – fortunately, he comes in at 4.5 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), the same price as Thomas, and looks secure for game time in light of yesterday’s news.
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