Team news: Walcott facing late fitness test

Results

Date	Time	C	Opponent	F	A	R	S
15 Mar	5:15 PM	P	Middlesbrough (H)	1	1	Draw

Arsenal have a few injury worries ahead of Saturday's match against Middlesbrough at the Emirates.

Whilst striker Robin van Persie has just returned from a long injury lay-off, youngster Theo Walcott picked up a thigh injury in a friendly during the week.

The former Southampton teenager faces a late fitness test.

Defender Emmanuel Eboue is available for selection again whilst Tomas Rosicky and Abou Diaby are still injured.

Manager Arsène Wenger said: "Tomas is still out and Abou is still out.

"There is a little chance of Theo being back for Saturday but he has not practiced with the team yet. We will have a test tomorrow."

Concerned Arsenal fans will also be pleased to know that Croatian striker Eduardo da Silva is making good progress against his injury, and was in good spirits when he visited the training ground today.

Wenger added: "Yes, we saw him today.

"He came in and it was fantastic. He looked good. He is positive in his mind and a strong boy mentally.

"Of course we are sad to lose him for the season. But we are all pleased at the way he is dealing with it. Everybody who has been in this situation knows how difficult this is to take."

User Comments

Alaska Gooner

Posted on 14 Mar, 2008 at 11:11 PM - Reply

We need a left footted player to play on the left wing, or at least one who can use their left foot. Diaby on the left is a total joke. I think he is a decent player but not on the wing.

Scott

Posted on 14 Mar, 2008 at 02:31 PM - Reply

We are really missing Diarra. We should not have let him go. As much as I like Gilberto I think we should have kept Diarra and let Gilberto go. Diarra is so versatile he would have provided excellent cover at multiple positions.

Jesper

Posted on 14 Mar, 2008 at 01:58 PM - Reply

I agree with Bashi on Rosicky and Diaby. The goals Pires made are missed.. Goals that made Arsenal win games 1-0.. We need 2 of 3 experienced players in our squad next season for backup so Wenger does not have to travel to Wigan with no just 1 attacking option on the bench against sides like wigan... And we need Gomes from PSV in goal(just keep saying it!)

Bashi Francis

Posted on 14 Mar, 2008 at 11:15 AM - Reply

All this makes me think we need to have a bigger squad next season. I'd like a mix of seasoned players to guide our youth. Of course we will do the Prem and Champs League double, but that still wont hide the cracks in our squad. I know that having a larger squad is not the answer to winning all competeitions, but it certainly makes life easier. Also, I think Thomas Rosicky has fewer days ahead of him at the Emirates. He seems to spend longer on the bench than he does on the pitch banging in the goals that we need. Replacing Bobby Pires ws always going tobe tough, but sadly, Tommy is not the man for it. Too igtweight and injury prone.
The other piont is I wonder why we panicked last December when Abou Diaby said he was looking to leave Arsenal. Now we look at hisperformances (when he does play) and wonder...

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