Full Arsenal injury update and it’s a nightmare!!!!!!

I have got a funny feeling of deja vu writing this, probably because Arsenal seem to have an injury crisis every bloody week. The number of casualties this week is eight, according to the official website, but that list does not include the January loan signing Kim Kallstrom, who although he is back in training will probably not be fir enough to start against Tottenham on Sunday.

Also, according to physio-room, Nicklas Bendtner has an unspecified problem. Maybe he injured himself during a rough sex session with a taxi. Anyway, it would almost be quicker to list the players who are not injured than those who are.

Arsene Wenger has revealed on arsenalwiki that he is hopeful of having both left backs available, as both Gibbs and Monreal are due for late fitness tests. Nothing is certain yet however. With Vermaelen back and looking sharp, defence is not really the problem. It is midfield where the Gunners have got serious problems.

Aaron Ramsey has suffered another delay to his long awaited comeback and he has been joined in the treatment room by Mesut Ozil. With Diaby and Wilshere in there you have got a pretty good unit. The German has got a hamstring problem which, unless we are lucky(yeah right) will keep him out for at least a month. So the great form being shown by Chamberlain is a great relief for Arsenal.

One piece of good news is that Yaya Sanogo is back and should be in the squad for Sunday. We saw what happened to Giroud’s form when he was not getting any rest so Sanogo’s fitness could really help. But with four big Premier League games coming up in a two week period, Arsenal could be in big trouble. Let’s just beat the spuds this weekend and I will be much happier.

Arsenal have agreed a new deal with highly-rated youngster Gedion Zelalem.

The 17-year-old is regarded as one of the best young talents to emerge at Arsenal in recent years and the club have moved to tie him down to a professional deal.
Zelalem, who made his debut in the FA Cup against Coventry earlier this season, is seen as a star of the future by Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.

Gedion Zelalem: Rewarded with new deal

The skilful playmaker has been named on the bench for three Premier League games this season and has been a star performer in the Under-21 Premier League and FA Youth Cup this term.
Arsenal were keen to reward the German-born midfielder for his progress with a new deal and he is expected to be fast-tracked into the senior squad over the next year.

Llorente to Arsenal?

A sudden rumour has appeared in regards to Llorente moving to Arsenal from Athletic Bilbao. The story took the internet, especially Twitter by storm last night after a spanish journalist working for El Mundo Deportivo claimed that a deal between Arsenal and Athletic Bilbao in regards to the purchase of Llorente had been struck, with a press conference called for Tuesday 29th May. Is it true? The sudden nature of it seems like a typical Arsenal move, however with a £30mil buy-out clause, it seems unlikely and only time will tell.

  This season, Llorente has managed to score 28 goals in 53 games for Bilbao, which isn't a bad ratio at all, especially when you consider that Bilbao finished the season 10th in La Liga. He also has 6 assists to his name. He is the target man that Arsenal need and if the story is to be believed would be the kind of marquee signing that Arsenal fans have been craving. However it does pose the question, would he be signed in order to work with/convince RVP as well as play with Podolski, or signed as RVP's replacement?
  With the high price tag and the kind of striker he is, I fully expect he would be RVP's replacement with the funds from the sale being used to sign Llorente. The question thus would be, where would RVP be headed? My guess would be City due to the price, however I would hope that he would actually head abroad. I would not be able to stomach the idea of Van Persie heading toward the blue side of Manchester. I would even dare say I would prefer to see him play for Man United than City.
  However, if the story is true and he has been signed as a convincer, what a convincer it is. A strike force of RVP, Podolski and Llorente is a deadly one and then with Walcott, Gervinho, Chamberlain and the potential development of Miyaichi to go along side, you would be hard put to find a deadlier strike force when you ignore the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid. The signing would also show that Arsenal mean business for next season and the future. It will show we aren't afraid of a big signing and that we still remain a club fighting for the title.

  Ultimately though, it all comes down to whether it is just one of those twitter stories that has spun more out of control than usual or the real thing. I can safely say that I will be keeping an eye out hoping that the story is true and a convincer for Van Persie. We can only but wait and see really. 

Until next time.....