In July 2006 when Arsenal FC played their first game at the Emirates Stadium, expectations were sky high. This was a team that was used to winning trophies in England. It was a team oppositions feared. A new stadium would mean more money to buy players. Better players who would propel the club to unimaginable heights. iSporter Karan Mundul Arsenal Football Club's problems with long list of injuries over the last few years.
We all know what has transpired since then. The question is who is to blame. The management for being stingy, Arsene Wenger for his rigid policy or the players who just don't seem to be able to handle any sort of pressure
Two years back if I was asked this question I would have said the players because I believe Arsene Wenger has bought well. Now I blame the management entirely. A look at the records of the players who have come in during this dry spell & you will see that along with their undoubted quality they also have unbelievable medical records.
Arsenal seems to be the only club constantly coping with injuries. This season in addition to the departures of Nasri & Fabregas, Wilshire has been ruled out for pretty much the whole season while Vermaelen, Diaby & Sagna remain long term absentees. Injuries are common in the BPL but Arsenal players seem to take a lot more time to recover when compared to players from other clubs. Below is a list of injury records of some players who have represented Arsenal in the last 7 years (current season not included). The above list does not include the likes of Eduardo & Ramsey who had one major injury each which kept them out for a long period.
|
Player Name |
No of injuries |
Total injury period (months) |
% of time spent injured at the club |
|
Thomas Vermaelen |
5 |
16 |
66.67 |
|
Tomas Rosicky |
3 |
16 |
26.67 |
|
Johan Djourou |
7 |
14 |
23.33 |
|
Lukasz Fabianski |
4 |
7.5 |
20.83 |
|
Jack Wilshere |
2 |
2.5 |
20.83 |
|
Abou Diaby |
10 |
13 |
18.06 |
|
Robin van Persie |
9 |
11.5 |
13.69 |
|
Cesc Fàbregas |
12 |
11 |
13.10 |
|
Theo Walcott |
8 |
7.5 |
12.50 |
|
Nicklas Bendtner |
4 |
6 |
12.50 |
|
William Gallas |
8 |
6 |
12.50 |
|
Kieran Gibbs |
4 |
4 |
11.11 |
|
Bacary Sagna |
6 |
4.5 |
9.38 |
If you take suspensions & player rotation into consideration then basically these players regularly miss quarter to half the season. With such regular injuries its difficult for players to settle into any kind of rhythm during the season. Arsene Wenger rarely has a selection headache because he can barely find 11 players to take the field.
It makes one wonder whether these players have a history of injuries or is the medical staff in the club not as efficient as their rivals.If it is the medical history then the club should buy fitter players or operate with a larger squad. Even with the Premier League squad rules in place Arsenal can easily add 3-4 players in their squad. If it's the staff then surely they should be shown the door. Either way the management is to blame. If Arsenal are ever to win a trophy then the player's fitness needs to be addressed. Else like Liverpool we will be left hanging on to the memories of our glory days
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