Cesc misses out as Shakhtar look for Champions League revenge
|Arsenal will be without Cesc Fabregas for Wednesday’s Champions League Group H game against Shakhtar Donetsk.
The Spaniard will not feature against the Ukrainian champions after suffering a recurrence of his recent hamstring injury while playing 90 minutes against West Ham United on Saturday.
However, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger expects the skipper to be available again for Sunday’s Premier League game with Newcastle United.
England midfield star Jack Wilshere, who signed a new contract with the club yesterday, is in contention for a starting place after being suspended for Arsenal’s last three domestic games, while Wenger could make several changes to his team to keep things fresh, with Theo Walcott and Nicklas Bendtner likely starters in Donetsk.
Injuries:
Aaron Ramsey (broken leg), Robin van Persie (ankle) and Emmanuel Frimpong (cruciate knee ligament) are all long-term absentees, while Manuel Almunia (elbow), Abou Diaby (ankle), Kieran Gibbs (knee) and Thomas Vermaelen (Achilles) are not yet ready for returns either.
Alex Song, Denilson and Andrey Arshavin didn’t travel with the squad.
Predicted Starting XI
Fabianski
Sagna – Squillaci – Koscielny – Clichy
Wilshere – Nasri – Rosicky
Walcott – Chamakh – Vela
The hosts are still without broken leg victom Fernandinho, while Henrik Mkhitaryan – who has missed the cub’s last three domestic games with an infection – is another likely absentee.
Highly-rated attacking midfielder Jadson, who set up former Gunner Eduardo da Silva’s consolation goal in London two weeks ago, is another doubt after he missed the weekend win over Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk with a foot injury. Eduardo himself will hope to start against his old friends.
A win for Arsenal would seal thier progression to the next round, with Shakhtar currently in second place three points behind the perfect record Gunners.
Leave your views and predictions on the game in the comments section below.
Shakhtar will be a different proposition in Ukraine, but even with our injuries we should still have enough to edge a win. Having said that, I’d have no problem with a draw. I would like to see Szczesny for the last 2 matches, though.
fabianski
sagna squilachi kochielnt clichy
eboue nasri wilshere
walcott chamakh bendtner
thats what i say..
and there i was thinking our injury problems had finally gone away… oh well, thats arsenal for ya :p
I reckon Eastmond will start.
Everybody VOTE FOR NASRI FOR THE PLAYER OF THE MONTH
http://www.premierleague.com/page/Home/0,,12306,00.html
THE BOY HAS TO WIN THIS ONE
forward please to others
Lets face it Fabregas has a problem which is going to be long term, at the moment, him and Wilshere are gelling well, but i beleive Wilshere is still in the learning stage, so rest Fab in the not so crucial games and get the best out of him.Play him in the important games so Jack can still be brought along nice and easy.I think Cesce is in his last year here, hopefully Ramsey will be back playing soon, so by the end of the season Wilshere and Ramsey will be our driving force for next year, and Cesce can make his move to spain, use him well this season and we’ll recoupe a nice little earner.
Tonight at the Dumbass arena 😀
Give me Szczesny !!!!
OMG, it has begun. Just as we were all more than irritated by Senderos, Song, Diaby and Denilson for a couple of years now, we’ll have to be irritated by Craig Eastmond. Please Wenger open your bloody eyes.
Once again we come up short. Disappointed.