|
|
Vermaelen & Gibbs out as Arsenal face defensive injury crisis
Feb 8, 2013 10:51:00 AM
With both defenders ruled out and Laurent Koscielny facing a late fitness test before the trip to The Stadium of Light, the Gunners are looking short at the back
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed defenders Thomas Vermaelen and Kieran Gibbs have been ruled out of this weekend’s trip to Sunderland.
The Gunners will be without their captain who is still struggling with an ankle injury whilst England left-back Gibbs is still recovering from this thigh strain picked up in the 2-2 draw with Liverpool last month.
Vermaelen's centre-back partner Koscielny will face a late fitness test as he faces a race against time to partner Per Mertesacker against a Sunderland team who are threatening in attack according to Wenger.
"They have real offensive potential, with Johnson, Fletcher, Sessegnon and now Danny Graham," the Gunners boss told reporters during his pre-match press conference.
The 63-year-old revealed better news on the injury front as both Aaron Ramsey and Francis Coquelin are expected to be fit for the trip to the Stadium of Light.
| 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 to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets |
|
| Sign up today with Coral and get a £50 FREE bet - no strings attached! |
|
| Sign up today with BetVictor and get a £25 FREE BET! |
|
Related Stories
Inside Goal.Com
-
Real Madrid are better off without Mourinho
The Portuguese's position had become untenable in recent weeks, especially after Friday's debacle in the Copa del Rey. Now he's leaving, but the club can grow stronger without him
-
-
AVB, Levy & Lewis to thrash out Tottenham plans
After missing out on a place in the Champions League, the north London side are devising a way to keep Gareth Bale at the club and attract new stars to White Hart Lane
-
Bayern's jinx - CL final referee Nicola Rizzoli
Goal takes a look at the career of the Italian arbiter to date following Uefa's decision to appoint the 41-year-old for Saturday's showpiece at Wembley
-
Cartoon: Casillas' birthday wish comes true
Goal.com cartoonist Omar Momani gives us his unique take on the football news of the day
