 |
| Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez leaves the pitch with an injury |
ARSENE WENGER’S face after the match said it all.
It was a haunted look, knowing a catastrophic mistake had been made.
Because as much as he would like believe Arsenal's terrible injury record is down to bad luck, he is the common denominator over the years.
Incredibly, in 2015 alone, 22 players in Arsenal’s 23-man first-team squad have picked up an injury.
Only Joel Campbell is yet to have a spell on the sidelines, but for half the year he was playing in Spain and only in the last month has he played regularly for Arsenal.
And in this month, Arsenal have gained more injuries (six) than Premier League points (two)!
Yesterday, Wenger watched on as Laurent Koscielny, Alexis Sanchez and Santi Cazorla all limped off the pitch at Carrow Road with a variety of injuries.
But it’s the injury to Sanchez which has caused the most condemnation and Wenger must ask serious questions of himself and the way he deals with players.
On Friday, the Frenchman admitted the 26-year-old had a hamstring problem but added he was reluctant to rest him due to their shortage of attacking players.
So it was no surprise when Sanchez was named in the starting line-up. It was even more unsurprising when he went on to provide the assist for Mesut Ozil’s deft finish past John Ruddy.
In an ideal world, Wenger must have hoped his side would kill the match with further goals and allow him to substitute the Chilean. But just like last week against West Brom his players got complacent and let Norwich City back into the match.
It meant Wenger had no choice but to keep Sanchez on the pitch to try and rescue the match. But in the second half his worst fears came to fruition.
When questioned by Sky Sports, Wenger claimed Sanchez told him he was fit enough play before the match.
Given Sanchez’s character and personality, Wenger needed to be strong and say no.
Tell him that he is too important to be risked. Tell him that he needed rest and to get 100 per cent fit. Tell him that his team-mates were good enough to beat a struggling Norwich team.
He didn't. He took the easier option to play him and it backfired spectacularly.
He only had to remember what happened four years ago to know the downside of leaving the decision of playing with the player.
In March 2011, Arsenal travelled to Barcelona for the second leg of the Champions League tie, 2-1 up on aggregate but with an injury doubt over Cesc Fabregas.
Fabregas duly started the match at the Nou Camp but was swamped by Barcelona’s pressing and in the final minute of the first half he inexplicably attempted to back-heel the ball to Jack Wilshere on the edge of the box.
But the ball fell kindly to Andres Iniesta, who played it to Lionel Messi and he clinically finished past the onrushing Manuel Almunia.
Fabregas was never fit for a game of that magnitude and Arsenal went on to lose the match 3-1 and exit the competition.
Wenger places an enormous amount of trust and faith in his players and it is often reciprocated.
But on his occasion with Sanchez, he got it badly wrong and with a busy schedule in December, including their make or break Champions League match with Olympiakos, it is hard to envisage how he plans on pulling his team through.
 |
| Alexis Sanchez goes off injured as manager Arsene Wenger looks on |
Prior to the match, Wenger had said the Spaniard was “90 per cent” fit having been out with a hamstring injury for 13 days.
Fabregas duly started the match at the Nou Camp but was swamped by Barcelona’s pressing and in the final minute of the first half he inexplicably attempted to back-heel the ball to Jack Wilshere on the edge of the box.
But the ball fell kindly to Andres Iniesta, who played it to Lionel Messi and he clinically finished past the onrushing Manuel Almunia.
Fabregas was never fit for a game of that magnitude and Arsenal went on to lose the match 3-1 and exit the competition.
Wenger places an enormous amount of trust and faith in his players and it is often reciprocated.
But on his occasion with Sanchez, he got it badly wrong and with a busy schedule in December, including their make or break Champions League match with Olympiakos, it is hard to envisage how he plans on pulling his team through.
Wenger stubbornness is a well documented issue. But he is not stupid. He’s arguably the most intelligent manager in the Premier League but he has shown a remarkable lack of foresight.
How long did he think he could get away with not resting Sanchez? It was his 90th match in all competitions for club and country since arriving at Arsenal in summer 2014.
He’d played 1,489 out of a possible 1,620 minutes in the Premier League and Champions League before yesterday.
Every time Sanchez chased back to help his full-back, Wenger must have been wincing, fearing the worst was about to happen.
To some extent, Sanchez’s injury is a consequence of Wenger’s decision not to sign an outfield player in the summer.
If he did maybe they wouldn't have had to rely on Sanchez so much, bringing him on in the first game of the season after barely having a summer break due to international commitments.
 |
| Arsene Wenger faces an important few months |
Much of the disappointment surrounding Arsenal stems from the fact, (delete) it feels like this is their best chance of winning the league title.
After an unconvincing season by many of the traditional big clubs, the Gunners could not have asked for a better opportunity of taking the trophy which has eluded them for 11 years.
Add Mesut Ozil’s sensational form, the emergence of Hector Bellerin and Petr Cech’s arrival, the elements are in place for a title charge.
But even as we enter the month of December, it’s difficult to picture Wenger lifting the Premier League trophy if they do not solve their injury problems.
They will not win it if they cannot field their best players in at least 30 matches this season.
When you think of title winning sides of the past, they all had eight or nine players who could be relied upon week in, week out.
 |
| Alexis Sanchez will be a big miss for Arsenal |
That is not the case at Arsenal and it hasn't been for several years despite the numerous internal discussions about their problems.
American Shad Forsythe was brought in as the head of athletic performance enhancement at the club and overseen some improvement in training methods and the fitness regime.
But the same soft tissue injuries which have plagued the likes of Mikel Arteta, Aaron Ramsey and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain keep re-occurring.
Maybe Wenger will find some fortitude and look to use the January transfer window as his salvation.
Because anything less may result in the final nail in his extraordinary 19-year spell at Arsenal.
Post a Comment Blogger Facebook Disqus