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Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Wenger’s midfield options for Wigan limited due to injuries and suspension


By 1970s Gooner

The news coming out of the France national team’s camp is that Mathieu Flamini has cut short his international week and is flying back to London to be attended by Arsenal’s doctors.

Flamini 'suffered a little something', Domenech said without explaining the extent of the injury.

He will not travel to Kiev to face the Ukraine in France’s last qualifying game.

Fabregas is also out due to the fifth yellow card he “intentionally” received at the away game at Reading.

This leaves Wenger with the possibility of having to field a totally different pairing for the centre of midfield against Wigan.

It has been Fabregas and Flamini that have been pulling the strings so magnificently since the first game of the season against Fulham.

However the bad luck does not stop there. France Football is reporting that Diaby is out of the Under 19's next game which is today. It appears he is carrying an injury.



If both Flamini and Diaby do not make it for Saturday then the available options against Steve Bruce’s Wigan will be limited to any two from Gilberto, Diarra, Denilson and Song.

Gilberto obviously is a definite starter if he can get back in time from his duties as captain of Brazil.

It would also have been nice to see Diaby line up in his favoured position and to be allowed to show what he can do. These two would probably get the nod if fit.

In the possible absence of Diaby then it looks like a straight choice between Denilson and Diarra as Song’s only outings so far have only been a few last minute substitutions.

It will be interesting to see which Wenger will choose although Denilson is more of a creative player and creativity will be needed to compliment Gilberto’s industry and defensive inclinations.


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9 comments:

Anonymous said...

We all know gilberto will be a definite starter then wenger should opt to start denilson along side him instead of diarra
because denilson is the closest we have to fabregas.

Anonymous said...

Hleb or Rosicky could play the Cesc role easily.

Anonymous said...

Diaby in the Under 19s? Do you mean 21s?

Anonymous said...

Gilberto is likely to be playing for Brazil on Wednesday night, and will therefore return late on Thursday or Friday to the Arsenal camp.

We don't know if, under those circumstances, Arsene will put him straight into the team - assuming Flamini cannot make it - or if he'll merely put Gilberto on the bench, as he's likely to be recovering from jet lag.

Therefore, if Flamini cannot make it, I'd put my money on Diarra & Denilson starting the game against Wigan.

Incidentally, both Hleb & Rosicky can play the central playmaker role as has already been pointed out.

Anonymous said...

I also think that it will be a straight choice between Denilson and Diarra.
Hleb or Rosicky could play central midfield but they both are lacking the strength and physical presence needed for such a position.
I think that Wenger will probably deploy them on the wings

Anonymous said...

we dont know how serious any of the injuries are. I think if at all possible wenger will want Diaby and Flamini to play. we will have to wait and see what the news is on their injuries. but assuming they are both out, my choice is diarra and denilson.

Anonymous said...

I think Gilberto should start because you will need his experience. Denilson should play along side him as he can be guided by Gilberto

T said...

Gilberto was jet-lagged agaisnt Tottenham and it showed in a below-par performance where he looked rarely out of sorts. However, if he is fit he should start, and I'm sure he'll put in a big performance to show that he deserves his starting place back from the fighter Flamini.

Anonymous said...

,,,,I'd expect Gilberto to start if he isnt jet lagged and Flamini is injured. Denilson would start alongside Gilberto as he style of play is more creative, like Cesc's. Although my personal view, i'd like to see Diarra play in his favourite position. Its lucky we are blessed with an array of talent in this position. Anyone of the centre midfielders can do the job! Wrighty7