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Arsneal Boss Arsene Wenger: Premier League Will Be Won Or Lost In December
Club with fewest injuries will win the title, says Frenchman...
04-Nov-2009 12:27:55 PM
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes that the Premier League will either be won or lost during the month of December, with the least injury-riddled side emerging as to top candidates for the title.
The Gunners recently welcomed Samir Nasri and Tomas Rosicky back into the fold after extended periods of injury, but lost Gael Clichy and Nicklas Bendtner in the process.
The full-back succumbed to a stress fracture of the back, while the Dane is nursing a groin injury. Both players are expected to be licking their wounds for four to eight weeks.
"It's frustrating when players get injured," Wenger is quoted in The Sun as saying.
"In England, you get the injuries in November - it is unbelievable when you look at the stats.
"Normally, in December, you can win or lose the championship, so you want your players to be available.
The Gunners recently welcomed Samir Nasri and Tomas Rosicky back into the fold after extended periods of injury, but lost Gael Clichy and Nicklas Bendtner in the process.
The full-back succumbed to a stress fracture of the back, while the Dane is nursing a groin injury. Both players are expected to be licking their wounds for four to eight weeks.
"It's frustrating when players get injured," Wenger is quoted in The Sun as saying.
"In England, you get the injuries in November - it is unbelievable when you look at the stats.
"Normally, in December, you can win or lose the championship, so you want your players to be available.
"Over this period the pitches can become difficult, your players have played
international games and you also have the end of the Champions League group
stages. Players will have completed 20 games.
"The only team who have had less injuries than the others at the moment are Chelsea.
"They are top of the league but they are not really dominating. They are two points ahead if we win our game in hand.
"Chelsea have shown they can lose. For us, it is more important to show consistency than speculate on Chelsea having injuries.
"To lose Bendtner is a blow. I played him against Spurs because he is strong in the air. I would say we can be a danger at free-kicks but we lose the capability to change a game if Nicklas is not there.
"But we also have Eduardo, [Robin] van Persie, Rosicky, [Cesc] Fabregas, Nasri and [Andrey] Arshavin. Offensively, we are still strong."
Adithya Ananth, Goal.com UK
"The only team who have had less injuries than the others at the moment are Chelsea.
"They are top of the league but they are not really dominating. They are two points ahead if we win our game in hand.
"Chelsea have shown they can lose. For us, it is more important to show consistency than speculate on Chelsea having injuries.
"To lose Bendtner is a blow. I played him against Spurs because he is strong in the air. I would say we can be a danger at free-kicks but we lose the capability to change a game if Nicklas is not there.
"But we also have Eduardo, [Robin] van Persie, Rosicky, [Cesc] Fabregas, Nasri and [Andrey] Arshavin. Offensively, we are still strong."
Adithya Ananth, Goal.com UK
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