Arsenal face Aston Villa in their FA Cup 4th round clash at the Emirates on Sunday, and for Arsene Wenger, this competition holds significant value. The Gunners have triumphed four times during his 15 year tenure, with Wenger aiming for another success in the world’s oldest cup competition. Villa will not make it easy for Arsenal, the two sides met in the Premiership just before Christmas, with a late winner from Yossi Benayoun at Villa Park needed for Wenger to claim a well earned victory. Just to put things into perspective however, Wenger’s aim has always been a top four finish, and winning the FA Cup, but finishing out of the top four in the Premiership would not represent success in Wenger’s eyes. The fans could argue differently on that.
Specialist
The Arsenal manager had some bad news with Jack Wilshere having suffered a new set back in his recovery from ankle surgery. The midfielder felt pain in another area from where surgery took place and was immediately stopped from continuing his run.
“He has had a little setback that is under investigation at the moment so I cannot give you how long he will be out for. At the moment he is seeing a specialist and as soon as we know more we will communicate. It sets him back a little bit but for how long I don’t know. It is the same foot but a different problem to the injury he had surgery on back in September. But is it an inflammation? We have to wait a little bit,” said Wenger.
Sagna back
Brighter injury updates from elsewhere however, with Thierry Henry, Mikel Arteta, and a massive boost for Wenger who will able to include Bacary Sagna in his squad for the first time since he fractured his leg at White Hart Lane early last October. ” Bacary Sagna is back in full training. Many players who are not specialist right backs have been playing in this position so we are relieved to have Bacary back, ” revealed Wenger who with more defenders close to returning, went on to rule out the likelihood of bringing in another left back.
Left backs
“Gibbs is back in full training on Monday, and Vermaelen can play left back and he is fit. (Andre)Santos will be fit in March.Three left backs, plus Sagna – who can play there – is four. We are not (looking for another) left back. Arteta is very close to full training, Thierry Henry as well. Francis Coquelin is back in the squad, he is available. That makes him, Henry, Bacary and Arteta back in contention for the squad.”
Fatigue
Wenger was still asked about Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and of his substitution against a tiring Manchester United last Sunday – a decision that many in football saw as the turning point from which United would win the game.
“He is alright, it was just fatigue. His calf was not gone or anything like that, he just started to tire a little bit. It is normal for a guy who plays a game at that intensity. But health-wise he has no problem. He will be involved on Sunday.
Gamble
Johan Djourou is close to a return from a hamstring knock, but there was no news on Abou Diaby.”At the moment, many players are on their way back. I will have to decide on Saturday, I have to look at them and see how much of a gamble I can take because we play again on Wednesday. Gibbs will certainly not be involved at all on Sunday, but the others could be involved. That will be decided tomorrow.”
Unsettled
A win over Villa would certainly help lift the Emirates crowd’s mood, which of late has become unsettled. After three consecutive Premiership losses that is understandable, but they would also reason that a club who has the Premiership’s top goal scorerer should be better placed than Arsenal are at present. Wenger too would accept that synopsis.
