Injury Report: Sol out, Gilberto gone for 3 months

[Jasonisimo]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=315065&cc=5901

The injury bug is taking a toll finally and regrettably--although inevitably. The defense is bare bones now.

Currently:

Clichy out (No cover for Cole until Gael's back into the mix)
Gilberto out until February (no proven DMid)
Edu has a knock
Pennant pulled hammy
Campbell pulled his calf and is out indefinitely. So Cygan starts every game, and Senderos, who hasn't played in the EPL, is the first sub just as he recovers from injury himself.

I think Vieira has to lie deeper and let Cesc or Edu prompt upfront. I know Vieira likes to go box to box. With the shaky defense, I believe he's got to own that role and lend his presense to shield the back four. Although he was uncharacteristically shaky himself against Man U, I will expect him as captain to lead with the focused, talismanic spirit the team needs in the CL and for the title race.

This defense has to get itself sorted out, particularly on set pieces as mentioned elsewhere, or Chelsea is going on to the title. Vieira can be crucial to that effort. The defense is essentially captainless right now since they are without Sol (and Seaman, although that's not news).

[Detlef]

getting cover in central defence was IMHO the top priority during the summer. Is there anyone available in January?

In Cygan we trust.

[yossarian]

getting cover in central defence was IMHO the top priority during the summer. Is there anyone available in January?

In Cygan we trust.


I seem to recall Rick saying that Wenger gave a talk to a supporters group (correct me on the details, Rick) and stated that he would be looking for more cover in the central defense during January.

I don't really know who would be available....especially someone good who's not cup-tied.

[Rick B]

I seem to recall Rick saying that Wenger gave a talk to a supporters group (correct me on the details, Rick) and stated that he would be looking for more cover in the central defense during January.

I don't really know who would be available....especially someone good who's not cup-tied.


Not a supporters group, it was to the share holders meeting. he said that because of the financing now in place for the stadium - we are able to bring in a central defender in the next transfer window. my opinion is that its a long term replacement for Sol - but then ive been saying that for ages now hoping to be wrong so he signs again!!!

[yossarian]

Not a supporters group, it was to the share holders meeting. he said that because of the financing now in place for the stadium - we are able to bring in a central defender in the next transfer window. my opinion is that its a long term replacement for Sol - but then ive been saying that for ages now hoping to be wrong so he signs again!!!

Any rumours, innuendo, apocrypha, myths, legends or Magic 8-ball indications as to whom Monsieur Wenger may be looking to sign? ;)

[arsenalgirl30016]

Ok I may have missed something but did Sol sign a new contract or not?

Also-not related but Yossarian: Go Dawgs!

[Detlef]

Ok I may have missed something but did Sol sign a new contract or not?

Also-not related but Yossarian: Go Dawgs!

Sol has not signed a new contract.

[jpatel1508]

Maybe Cygan can pull a hamstring before the match and Senderos gets in the lineup. Kinda like when Hoyte made his debut unexpectingly.

[yossarian]

Ok I may have missed something but did Sol sign a new contract or not?

Also-not related but Yossarian: Go Dawgs!

Go Dawgs, indeed. Woof, woof. :D

[Jasonisimo]

Not a supporters group, it was to the share holders meeting. he said that because of the financing now in place for the stadium - we are able to bring in a central defender in the next transfer window. my opinion is that its a long term replacement for Sol - but then ive been saying that for ages now hoping to be wrong so he signs again!!!
Why wouldn't this be a partner for Sol? Surely Arsenal plans to resign him. If not, then his wages could go toward the "replacement" and this wouldn't be effected by the stadium plans one way or the other.

Dein and the board have said in the past that the status of the stadium funding would not impinge upon the transfer budget. Taking them at their word, the only way the financial stability of the stadium planning could impact the transfer budged either way would be to increase the kitty. I.e., long-term revenue streams being secured--such as the signing of the naming rights contract with Emirates Airlines--Arsenal can now "count their chickens."

The question still unanswered is, of the world-class centerbacks out there, who can Arsenal sign?

[Jasonisimo]

But that is neither here nor there, and we will all find out in January.

The situation regarding defensive depth remains tenuous.

[nicephoras]

Ironic. When we first played you last year (in December) we faced you with a starting backline of Mario Melchiot and Huth (:eek:). Now you're having injury problems on defense. If Sol's not available, I fancy our chances to score at least one off a set piece, given Lehman and Pascal's issues, and Drogba and Terry's presence in the air.
One of the remarkable things about Mourinho is how quickly we've become a great set piece team - we could never score from them in previous years. That, and Cech's height really helps to defend them.
Here's hoping Sol gets better. I want to beat you when you're at full strength, so as not to give Coach any excuses. :p

[Forza Badger]

The question still unanswered is, of the world-class centerbacks out there, who can Arsenal sign?

Nesta hasn't signed a contract with Milan yet. ;)

Not that Arsenal would be able to pry him from Milan.

When we first played you last year (in December) we faced you with a starting backline of Mario Melchiot and Huth (). Now you're having injury problems on defense. If Sol's not available, I fancy our chances to score at least one off a set piece, given Lehman and Pascal's issues, and Drogba and Terry's presence in the air.
One of the remarkable things about Mourinho is how quickly we've become a great set piece team - we could never score from them in previous years. That, and Cech's height really helps to defend them.
Here's hoping Sol gets better. I want to beat you when you're at full strength, so as not to give Coach any excuses.

If Chelsea has one tremendous thing going for them it is depth. I just thought I'd point the obvious out.

[Cannon]

Ironic. When we first played you last year (in December) we faced you with a starting backline of Mario Melchiot and Huth (:eek:). Now you're having injury problems on defense. If Sol's not available, I fancy our chances to score at least one off a set piece, given Lehman and Pascal's issues, and Drogba and Terry's presence in the air.
One of the remarkable things about Mourinho is how quickly we've become a great set piece team - we could never score from them in previous years. That, and Cech's height really helps to defend them.
Here's hoping Sol gets better. I want to beat you when you're at full strength, so as not to give Coach any excuses. :p

Of course by the time we play you half your squad could be up on drug charges so.... :p

Back on topic, we'll probably have to look outside of Europe to get a high quality CB who isn't cuptied in the January window. So we should start coming up with a list of great central defenders in S.America or Africa. I hope AW has had some good scouts working hard there over the past few months because the list doesn't look all that great from what I can see. It is a shame we couldn't grab one of the ones available this summer.

[nicephoras]

If Chelsea has one tremendous thing going for them it is depth. I just thought I'd point the obvious out.

We had it last year too.......and started Melchiot and Huth at Highbury. You just never know.

[surfcam]

Sol is now going to be out for a fortnight and will miss the Spurs match. AW definitely needs to shop around for a few defenders.