|
|
Arsene Wenger admits he might go into loan market due to full-back crisis at Arsenal
With the club’s four recognised specialist out injured and Johan Djourou also unavailable, the Frenchman said the scope of Kieran Gibbs’ problem could force his hand in January
21 Dec 2011 08:13:00
By Joel Lamy
Getty
Arsene Wenger has said he might have to use the loan market if his full-back crisis doesn’t ease.
The Arsenal manager is already without Bacary Sagna, Andre Santos and Carl Jenkinson whilst Kieran Gibbs has had a setback when a return to the first-team was around the corner.
With Johan Djourou also out, it means Ignasi Miquel or Sebastien Squillaci could be forced to fill in to help out against Aston Villa.
The Arsenal boss said on Tuesday that Sagna had began to run again following his broken leg in October, but he revealed that if Gibbs was to be out for an extended period of time it would force him to dip into the loan market during the January transfer window.
"He [Gibbs] will see a specialist again and if something happens there that he has had a real setback then we could [look at loans], possibly, yes," Wenger told reporters.
"That's what we are doing. We are starting to look at players if Gibbs is not back."
Arsenal have been playing with four centre-backs across the back in the past couple of games against Everton and Manchester City in order to cope with their injury crisis.
But Wenger believes playing the likes of Thomas Vermaelen on the flanks instead of in the centre is detrimental to the team as they cannot produce as much going forward compared to the specialist full-backs.
"No solution will be ideal because whatever we do, two players will have to play out of position," he added.
"We have centre-backs who do not like to play at full-back and we are a team who likes to go forward through the full-backs, so they are in a position where they have to produce different games.
"That is much more demanding physically. That exposes us even more to injuries."
The Arsenal manager is already without Bacary Sagna, Andre Santos and Carl Jenkinson whilst Kieran Gibbs has had a setback when a return to the first-team was around the corner.
|
Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
With Johan Djourou also out, it means Ignasi Miquel or Sebastien Squillaci could be forced to fill in to help out against Aston Villa.
The Arsenal boss said on Tuesday that Sagna had began to run again following his broken leg in October, but he revealed that if Gibbs was to be out for an extended period of time it would force him to dip into the loan market during the January transfer window.
"He [Gibbs] will see a specialist again and if something happens there that he has had a real setback then we could [look at loans], possibly, yes," Wenger told reporters.
"That's what we are doing. We are starting to look at players if Gibbs is not back."
Arsenal have been playing with four centre-backs across the back in the past couple of games against Everton and Manchester City in order to cope with their injury crisis.
But Wenger believes playing the likes of Thomas Vermaelen on the flanks instead of in the centre is detrimental to the team as they cannot produce as much going forward compared to the specialist full-backs.
"No solution will be ideal because whatever we do, two players will have to play out of position," he added.
"We have centre-backs who do not like to play at full-back and we are a team who likes to go forward through the full-backs, so they are in a position where they have to produce different games.
"That is much more demanding physically. That exposes us even more to injuries."
How do you stay up to date with football when on the move? With http://m.goal.com – your best source for mobile coverage of the beautiful game.
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
Inside Goal.Com
-
Welbeck convinces Hodgson he is the man to lead the line
England beat Norway 1-0 at Wembley, with the Manchester United man hitting an impressive winner to stake his claim for a starting spot at Euro 2012
-
How England player's chances were affected by Belgium victory
Ashley Young all but secured his place in the starting line-up against France while captain Steven Gerrard put a good shift in. Joe Hart, however, needs to remain focused
-
In Pictures: The best and worst kits at Euro 2012
The European Championship is just around the corner and Goal.com distinguishes between the trendy and the passe at the prestigious tournament
-
The five players Rodgers could sign to kick-start revolution
The new Reds boss was unveiled to the press on Friday and must immediately begin work on revitalising a thin squad with some additions in the transfer market
-
Managerial merry-go-round keeps spinning as Lambert takes Villa job
The Scot officially left Norwich City on Saturday to become the second new boss in June, following the appointment of Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool on Friday
