London: Arsenal's injury troubles mounted as the struggling side chases its first win in Group F of the Champions League against Olympiakos on Wednesday.
Striker Gervinho (hamstring), winger Theo Walcott (knee) and defender Laurent Koscielny (ankle) were ruled out on Tuesday after appearing in Saturday's Premier League win over Bolton.
The blow came a day after it was announced that midfielder Jack Wilshere is unlikely to return to action until February after undergoing ankle surgery.
"It makes us a bit shorter in midfield and puts more pressure on our midfielders to perform game in, game out," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. "I have less rotation possibilities. ... But every club can be tested on that front so it shouldn't impact our end result of the season and shouldn't be any excuse at all."
The Gunners are struggling as it is, losing half of their six Premier League matches so far and conceding a late equalizer in their Champions League opener to draw 1-1 at Borussia Dortmund.
In the other Group F match on Wednesday, Dortmund is at Marseille, which beat Olympiakos 1-0.
The group features four teams struggling in their domestic leagues. Marseille has had a miserable start in France, languishing in 13th place with only one win from eight matches, while Dortmund is eighth in Germany and Olympiakos is seventh in the Greek standings.
"We have a lot of respect for Olympiakos. I have seen their game against Marseille and they played well," Wenger said. "You never win easy in the Champions League. When you give absolutely everything, you have a chance to win.
"If we have not learned that from 14 consecutive years in the Champions League, then we are really stupid. If you do not prepare properly, then you have no chance."
Wenger will be looking to striker Robin van Persie, who has scored three goals in his last three matches, to keep up that form at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.
"I have a high level of expectation from him," Wenger said. "I am very demanding with Robin and he does as well as I expect him to be. His finishing record is absolutely fantastic. He has scored 26 goals in 31 games and he is not only a finisher."
Van Persie's two goals on Saturday took his tally since joining Arsenal from Feyenoord in 2004 to 100 goals.
"Robin has matured from the boy who was a little bit emotionally impulsive when he arrived to the guy he is today," Wenger said. "It was difficult to predict but he is intelligent, he speaks his mind and you can talk to him as well. He takes advice and overall he has developed very well."
Comments
0 comment