Ajax have injury problems

A mountainous injury list is casting a giant shadow over Ajax’s preparations for their Champions League clash with Arsenal tomorrow night.

The Amsterdammers, who drew 1-1 at Sparta Prague in their opening group game, will be looking to give their European campaign some impetus with victory over Arsene Wenger’s side at the Amsterdam ArenA.

But Ajax coach Danny Blind will have to do without a clutch of first-team players for the clash.

Maxwell, Nicolae Mitea and Maarten Stekelenburg are long-term absentees, while Hatem Trabelsi – who has been courted by the Gunners in recent years – and Mauro Rosales are also definitely out injured.

And although Tomas Galasek and Zdenek Grygera should be fit to return, there are question marks over the fitness of midfielders Wesley Sneijder and Nigel de Jong.

Blind admitted he was concerned about the amount of injuries his players were picking up.

“I will decide tomorrow morning who will be fit to play Arsenal,” he said.

“You can not start with more than one player that you have doubts about. We have more games to play, so you must not break your players.

“But there are more injuries here than you normally find in your team.”

Spanish defender Juanfran, who came on as substitute during Ajax’s 4-1 win over Roda JC at the weekend, is not expected to start as he is not yet fully match fit.

Blind saw his side lose 1-0 to the English club in the Amsterdam Tournament during pre-season, with young striker Arturo Lupoli scoring the only goal of the game in the 87th minute.

Arsenal have had an inauspicious start to the new Barclays Premiership campaign – they currently lie seventh in the table – but Blind saw them return to form in their recent 2-0 victory against Everton and remains impressed with what they have to offer.

“They played well, with a high pace and with a lot of pressing,” he added.

“They don’t normally press but it looks a good weapon for them. They are also dangerous in the air, an attribute which our players lack.

“An important factor is also the way they use the ball when they attack. (Jose Antonio) Reyes and (Robin) van Persie are doing that very well and we must make sure we close the supply line.”