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Arsenal can't afford to lose to Manchester United, says Arsene Wenger
James Olley03.11.08
Arsenal injury trio Emmanuel Adebayor, Theo Walcott and Bacary Sagna face a race against time to be fit for the Gunners' biggest week of the season so far.
All three players picked up injuries in Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Stoke that left Arsene Wenger's side six points behind Chelsea and Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.
Adebayor and Sagna both sustained ankle problems while Walcott suffered a damaged shoulder and although they will be further assessed today, they are all understood to be major doubts for Wednesday's Champions League visit of Fenerbahce.
With the Gunners leading Group G and Dynamo Kiev still to come at home, it is thought the trio may not be risked in any event to allow them as much time as possible to recover for the weekend League visit of Manchester United.
The champions moved one point above Arsenal with a 4-3 win over Hull and have a game in hand, meaning the Gunners can ill afford to lose any more ground and boss Arsene Wenger knows that his side mustn't slip up against United.
Wenger said: "I don't know how many more defeats we can afford. It's very difficult to say.
"We first have to win our next game and we have a chance again when we play Manchester United on Saturday.
"There is no better game in which to come back from a defeat and from a confidence point of view. It will also give us a chance to show we have quality."
"Is it a game we can't afford to lose? What manager would tell you they can afford to lose a game? You can never afford to lose but we just want to win."
Robin van Persie further compounded a miserable weekend for the Gunners by receiving a straight red card for a petulant challenge on Thomas Sorensen.
The Stoke goalkeeper felt it was borne out of frustration and emphasised why Arsenal will not win the title.
Sorenson said: "With the way the other teams are playing, it's going to be really hard for Arsenal now.
"They have shown in the past that they are a fantastic football side, but they are just lacking that bit of physicality.
"When Chelsea came here, they matched us in the challenges, whereas Arsenal weren't quite there. That's the difference. Arsenal lack that bit of spine that you need.
"They want to play all the time, but sometimes you have to work hard and earn the opportunity to play your very best football.
"I've played against Arsenal a lot of times and I expected much more of them, especially in the second half.
"They have excellent players, but they didn't actually find the fifth gear they normally do and, once we got the second goal, it felt like we were cruising because they totally lost belief.
"I think they expected a bit of an easier ride, but no one's going to get that coming here."
Van Persie will be available against Fenerbahce, but he will be banned for three matches, starting with United on Saturday lunchtime, as it is understood the club will not appeal against referee Rob Styles's decision.
Adebayor is especially unlikely to be risked even if today's prognosis is positive and with Van Persie suspended and Eduardo still recovering from a broken leg, Arsenal have only one fit recognised striker available in Nicklas Bendtner.
Abou Diaby proved himself adept as a second striker in last month's 5-2 win against Fenerbahce but is yet to start a match alongside Bendtner in attack while youngster Carlos Vela has yet to start a League game for the club.
Walcott damaged the same shoulder he underwent an operation on in October 2007 which was designed to cure a hereditary condition that means he has weak ligaments in his arm.
He was stretchered off after landing awkwardly on his shoulder in a challenge that led to a booking for Rory Delap, but the Stoke midfielder is hopeful that the England forward will not face lengthy lay-off.
Delap said: "Theo's a good lad and there were no hard feelings. I'm just glad the injury isn't as bad as it first looked."
Reader views (8)
Highburyid
You give the rest of us a break, We've been hearing this same old story for years.It is indeed grim up north, but lots of other teams manage to come away with a result.If its not little stoke city, its Bolton or blackburn.Do you think these same teams doesn't use the same tactics against United, Liverpool or Chelsea? of course they do, but as Sorenson said Arsenal are not able to respond to it. Its the same old sorry story from Wenger and some Arsenal fans,not all I hasten to add. Wenger knew what was needed at the start of this season and that was a holding midfield player and a half decent center half. Its all starting to unravel and its partly Wengers fault.
- James Hennessy, london england
Let's be honest here, we are not going to beat Man Utd...Rio/Vidic....Carrick/Anderson... Rooney, Berbatov, Ronaldo. Were mising Sagna, Walcott, Adeybaor, Rosicky, Eduardo and RVP! Gallas & Silvestre are very weak, Fabergas looks like he is not interested anymore and Denilson just can not do it on his own! Boy do we need to buy in jan, if not we will be in the UEFA cup next season not the Champions league!!!! We need a clear out at the end of this season....Out: Almunia,Senderos, Gallas, Silvestre, Rosicky, Adeybaor. In: Landreau(GK), Micha(C/D),Wheater(C/D), Inler(D/M), Afellay(A/M) Membele(F). Add the future of Arsenal...Djourou, Sagna, Clichy, Ramsey, Walcott, Wilshere, Nasri, Bendtner & Vela to those new names and we have a squad again!!!!!!
- Paul Newman, Milton Keynes
What planet is Highburyjd on? Arsenal were outplayed and out muscled, resorting in the end to petulance and a deserved red for the appalling Van persie. All you get from Arsenal these days is tantrums with a dash of sublime if effete football. Wenger is mad, claiming VP's was not a red card, he is a plank. 7th or 8th this year at best, and bye bye Wenger next, and then a few mediocre seasons after the mercenaries have gone to "bigger" teams
Oh what joy
- Kerry Trubee, Purley
Chickens are now coming home to roost. Venger seems blind to the need for an effective defence and some steel in the midfield. Arsenal have an appearance of fragility, far removed from the uncompromising defence of Adams & Co. The attack is nothing to write home about, guilty of inconsistency, and unless effective remedial action is soon taken we shall be out of this and next year's Champions League. Finishing fourth might be all we can achieve,if we're lucky. There's enough in the bank to strengthen the team. Spend some money on real tough players. He's got plenty of scouts to find them. Lets have attractive football with guts. If Venger can't understand these problems he should move on.
- Harry Bloom, Holland on Sea, England.
Good. Maybe Tottenham are at the bottom, due to in house mess ups. But its good to see the Arrogant ones down the road, suffering!
Thought they beat Spurs, thinking at 88 minutes we will give in, but no, got a draw, we beat Liverpool and Arsenal lose to Stoke. To be Champions or challenging for the title you must beat the teams at the bottom.
What goes around, comes around!
- Adrian, London
a few (bitter) responses to the Stoke players comments
(give me a break it was a long journey to one of the grimmest places in Britain)
- a great example of lacking spine would be a goalkeeper terrorised by the big stage who's bottle totally goes whilst representing his country. Thanks for ushering England through at the last WC, Sorenson completely choked.
- Stoke are a team with a big throw, some beasts beneath it playing skittles with opposition defenders and zero football ability. Once teams work out how to defend it (yes I have a theory) Stoke will be unable to score and get relegated.
- the main difference when Stoke played Chelski was not physicality, it was that Delap was injured, shorn of their only attacking threat Stoke are an easy proposition.
- Why haven't the media gone mad when Sorenson has admitted provoking RVP in a (sucessfull) attempt get him sent off, was clear simulation.
- Delap says no hard feelings - NO HARD FEELINGS?!?!? Why would HE have hard feeling about commiting a brutal foul.
- Lawrensen says he 'had' to foul Walcott. He 'had' to scythe him down from behind with the ball nowhere?!?! But Lawrenson's an old pro who understands the game and when the rules 'have' to be broken. Well I'm a fan, do I 'have' to attack opposition fans who wind me up because thats how it went down in the 80's??!?! Nonsense, offensive violence condoning nonsense.
-defending RD's throw. clear the area, send the keeper for everything, contact is a foul.
- Highburyjd, London
its ironic that arsenal fans were laughing at spurs fans the other week for loosing at relegation favourites stoke. the only ones laughing now are stoke fans.
- Frank, stoke-on-trent england
lost the chance i feel, lets see what happens next saturday although I fear fear against Man U.
- Jaberwokie3, switzerland
