Gunners winning battle on injury front
Arsene Wenger hopes he will soon have a full-strength squad with which to attack the second half of the season.
Captain Thierry Henry returned from a seven-match injury lay-off with a sciatic nerve problem to set his side on their way to a 4-0 victory over Charlton on January 2, which moved them back up to fourth in the Barclays Premiership.
The Gunners manager was happy to report no fresh injury problems from the match, and revealed full-back Emmanuel Eboue was set to rejoin the squad for Saturday’s FA Cup third round tie at Liverpool, having been troubled by an ankle injury since before Christmas.
“The news is quite good at the moment,” Wenger told Arsenal TV Online.
“We have no new injuries from the Charlton game and we have Eboue available for Saturday.”
However, Arsenal will have to do without suspended pair Robin van Persie and Cesc Fabregas for the first of two cup matches against the Reds in the space of four days on Merseyside.
Wenger, who maintains he will not buy during January, continued: “Julio Baptista might come back too and William Gallas is very close (to a return).
“The news of Theo Walcott’s back is very good. He and (William) Gallas are possibles for the Carling Cup (on Tuesday).
“Lauren is ready to play. He is looking, from week to week, better and better in training. Emmanuel Adebayor should be back for the Blackburn game.”
Centre-half Johan Djourou (hamstring) remains a concern, as does midfielder Freddie Ljungberg (hamstring).
However Abou Diaby is now back in training following his recovery from a broken ankle.
“It is great news,” declared the Arsenal manager. “He had his first complete training session today.
“Abou is so happy to play and his performance was very positive.”
During Henry’s absence the Gunners had lost only one game – at Sheffield United last Saturday.
Gilberto took on the mantle of stand-in skipper to chalk up five goals, while the likes of Emmanuel Adebayor and van Persie also produced consistent displays.
Henry believes such team spirit has helped the Gunners become an effective unit, whether or not they are missing key men.
“We have won so many games while missing important players, so I think people should give credit to the players who deserve it,” said the French striker.
“Being out of the team injured for a few weeks has meant that I can see and hear things from a different perspective – and I do want to pay credit to Gilberto.
“He has been an amazing player for Arsenal for years, but it seems like he has to score goals before he gets the credit he deserves.
“I would say he has been our most consistent player this season, he is scoring goals, making vital tackles and he deserves more credit.”
