Originally posted by atai at 21-2-2009 10:54 AM
MORE INJURY WOE FOR EDUARDO
Arsenal striker Eduardo has been ruled out for two weeks with a hamstring injury just days after returning from a broken leg.
The Croatia international only made hi ...
Arsene Wenger believes Russian playmaker Andrei Arshavin can help Arsenal unlock their attacking power once again and haul themselves back into the Barclays Premier League top four.
The 27-year-old is in line to make his Gunners debut against Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium today, giving fans the first glimpse of his undubted talent following a protracted £15million transfer from Zenit St Petersburg.
Arsenal rediscovered their magic touch in front of goal during Monday night’s 4-0 thrashing of Coca-Cola Championship side Cardiff, when Eduardo marked his return from a year out with a broken leg to grab a brace before then suffering a hamstring problem which will keep the Croatia striker out for a couple of weeks.
However, the last two Premier League games - against West Ham and Tottenham - have ended goalless. Wenger knows his side are sure to face another determined defence tomorrow, but believes in Arshavin he has a player capable of providing a key link between midfield and attack.
"He can integrate well our combination game, he can move very well, he is very mobile so that is something we work on as well," said Wenger. "He is a clever passer of the ball and that is something you need in every big team to open teams up."
Wenger, though, warned against placing too much expectation on the Russian as an instant fix.
"You have to give everybody who comes in time to adapt, to adjust," said the Arsenal boss. "I know him quite well on his vision, his passing ability, his quick brain. That is something which is very important in the modern game."
Wenger added: "He has personality, he has a strong character.
"The handicap he has at the moment is that he is not completely fit physically, but all the rest should be quite quick.
Post time 21-2-2009 11:01 AM
