Arsenal fear Aaron Ramsey could be out for at least month with thigh injury
Arsenal
fear that they will be without top scorer Aaron Ramsey for at least the next
four weeks.
Ramsey was waiting on Friday night for the results of a scan on the thigh
injury he sustained in the 3-1 Boxing Day win against West Ham United.
Should the scan reveal a tear, then Ramsey could be out for six to eight weeks
but Arsenal are hoping for confirmation that the injury is just a strain.
Losing Ramsey for any extended period of time is a blow to Arsenal and manager
Arsène Wenger. The 23-year-old Welshman has been enjoying the best season
of his career, scoring 13 goals in all competitions.
Arsenal play six games over the next month, starting on Sunday against Newcastle
United at St James’ Park. Jack Wilshere returns from suspension and
central defender Laurent Koscielny is expected to be fit.
Ramsey’s absence will put an even bigger burden on lone striker Olivier
Giroud, who has not scored since Nov 23.
Wenger ideally plans to rest Giroud at some point during the next week, with Arsenal facing three games in the space of six days.
Giroud will most likely sit out either the New Year’s Day clash with Cardiff City or the FA Cup tie against Tottenham and Wenger must decide between Nicklas Bendtner and the fit-again Lukas Podolski to deputise.
Podolski stepped off the bench to create and score a goal against West Ham, and is thought to be seen as a genuine option to replace Giroud on a short-term basis by Wenger.
“When you sit on the bench or in the stadium or on the couch at home, it is not easy to watch,” the 28-year-old Podolski said. “You don’t have the feeling with the team and in the dressing room. But that is the way it is in football, so I am all the more happy to be back.
“I have never had a muscle injury before, so it was a new experience and not easy. It was a hamstring injury, my left one. They take a long time, it is nearly four months. Every morning you come in, you have treatment, you work to get fit while the others are working outside. It is not easy for the head. But this is the way and I am young enough to play a lot of matches.”
Wenger ideally plans to rest Giroud at some point during the next week, with Arsenal facing three games in the space of six days.
Giroud will most likely sit out either the New Year’s Day clash with Cardiff City or the FA Cup tie against Tottenham and Wenger must decide between Nicklas Bendtner and the fit-again Lukas Podolski to deputise.
Podolski stepped off the bench to create and score a goal against West Ham, and is thought to be seen as a genuine option to replace Giroud on a short-term basis by Wenger.
“When you sit on the bench or in the stadium or on the couch at home, it is not easy to watch,” the 28-year-old Podolski said. “You don’t have the feeling with the team and in the dressing room. But that is the way it is in football, so I am all the more happy to be back.
“I have never had a muscle injury before, so it was a new experience and not easy. It was a hamstring injury, my left one. They take a long time, it is nearly four months. Every morning you come in, you have treatment, you work to get fit while the others are working outside. It is not easy for the head. But this is the way and I am young enough to play a lot of matches.”
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