Premier League - Clichy injury blow for Arsenal

Eurosport - Tue, 03 Nov 13:10:00 2009

Arsenal defender Gael Clichy is facing a spell on the sidelines after suffering a suspected stress fracture in his back.

FOOTBALL 2008-2009 Premier League Arsenal Gael Clichy - 0

The French left-back played the entire 90 minutes of the 3-0 win over Tottenham on Saturday, but it is likely to be his last piece of action for some time.

Manager Arsene Wenger confirmed the defender is likely to be sidelined for a number of weeks and also stated striker Nicklas Bendtner's groin injury is serious.

"We have had some bad news," said Wenger. "Bendtner is quite seriously injured and on top of that we have lost Gael Clichy with a back injury that was not expected.

"He looks like he could be out for a while. We fear a stress fracture of the back for Clichy. If that is the case, we will know more tonight, he will be out for a few weeks.

"Nicklas we still don't know yet, but he will be out at least for four weeks."

The news is a huge blow to Arsenal as Clichy has made the left-back slot his own and it will test the Gunners' strength in depth at the back.

Arsenal looked superb going forward against Spurs and have great depth in their attacking ranks, but fears have been raised as to how they will cope with injuries in defence.

It is likely that Kieran Gibbs will be thrust in to a more prominent role, having acted as cover for Clichy on occasions.

Wenger has talked up Gibbs for England honours and he is confident the youngster will rise to the challenge of replacing Clichy.

"I was very comfortable to have the solution to rest Clichy when needed and play Gibbs when necessary," added Wenger.

"Now a huge stress will be on Gibbs to play in every game. Capello and England will be happy because they want him to play in every game but it is still a blow for us.

"But I have every confidence about Gibbs. I have said that many times."

Arsenal are preparing for their Champions League clash with AZ Alkmaar at the Emirates on Wednesday and Tomas Rosicky is in contention following a knee problem.

Goalkeeper Lukas Fabianski (thigh), Theo Walcott (knee) and Denilson (back) remain out.

Eurosport

Comment 28 - 47 of 47

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  1. Clichy Blows, Arsey Whinger smiles.....

    From PETER S, on Wed 4 Nov 1:22PM

  2. #46 - clearly you are a typical Gooner, living in­ fantasy land with no idea about the real­ world
    'hi.kalyjones' is a forum bot, not a real­ person, get a life numbnuts

    From PETER S, on Wed 4 Nov 12:20PM

  3. all the injuries come when the little boys get chased­ around the dressing room by Arsey Whinger, he leave­ soap around for thme to pick up but they keep slipping

    From PETER S, on Wed 4 Nov 11:25AM

  4. Recently, I found an age-gap site called ~~~­­ Agegapmingle--C O M ~~~ It's a nice and free place­­ for Younger Women and Older Men, or Older Women and­­ Younger Men, to interact with each other. Age gap is­­ not problem there. You may check out or tell your­­ friends.

    From hi.kalyjones, on Wed 4 Nov 3:30AM

  5. 'hi.kalyjones' .......WTF ru, i dont come on­ this that much but evrytine i do u post the same­ comment............retart get a life!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    From Whale_Killerz, on Wed 4 Nov 1:25AM

  6. No brain, most of your team players passed their prime,­ they are living out their legacy as we speak! You­ always get the close calls and your fat as s boss try­ to win by intimidation! And when you have one player­ out you splash it all over the media, if it is the end­ of the world for you! Just to see him playing a game or­ two later!! And this week alone you had bunch of­ players injured….so get a reality check if you can it­ is about time for you to worry about your team trophy­ drought for the next few years , it is coming from this­ season on, try to live with it….

    From ru4real, on Tue 3 Nov 11:12PM

  7. Why is it that Arsenal players get injured the most and­ the worst year in year out in the last 4 seasons­ (including this one)? Is it the style of football­ played? or the excess-lack of strength oriented­ training? Really strange..

    From Half A Brain, on Tue 3 Nov 7:45PM

  8. clichy injury is a blow..but bendtner's is­ not.soory for him but it was time for him to be away­ and let eduardo and RVP duo to take arsenal to the top­ of premiership.lol

    From guy, on Tue 3 Nov 7:24PM

  9. arsenal will win premier league - better than­ pensioners chelsea who will lose all there good players­ in february, better than man u who had lost their spark­ who cant maintain this run of playin 5hit and winning,­ liverpool i actually hope top four but wont win PL and­ the rest arent experienced enough to make a lasting­ campaign to reach the top four never mind the title,­ look at aston villas form after feb last season
    go on­ the arsenal!!!!!1

    From chrisgoldman60, on Tue 3 Nov 6:44PM
  10. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    KISS MY ASSS

    From anfieldroad94, on Tue 3 Nov 6:15PM

  11. gibbs is good enough
    go on the arsenal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    From chrisgoldman60, on Tue 3 Nov 6:07PM

  12. Is Gibbs a good player?
    Yes(thumbs up)
    No(thumbs­ down)

    From Wt, on Tue 3 Nov 6:05PM
  13. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    poor clichy!! great player tbh! ohh anddd people look­ at this its hilarious i dont blame the guy one bit­ tbh!
    ­ ihatejade(dot)com/?id=w9um0zri4e1ve4qb16rch538iv0ntd

    From trevor_francis93, on Tue 3 Nov 5:50PM
  14. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    POOR BASTERD!!!!!!

    From neagigi91, on Tue 3 Nov 5:44PM
  15. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    if you want to wipe your a** on your rivals google­ football toilet paper, you can get Celtic, Rangers, Man­ U, Liverpool, Arsenal, Spurs, Sunderland, Newcastle,­ Birmingham and Villa toilet paper

    From footballtoiletpaper, on Tue 3 Nov 4:49PM
  16. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    CLICH OR WHATEVER HES CALLED IS SHITT

    From PLOWKING, on Tue 3 Nov 4:49PM

  17. ive seen gibbs play a few times and i can tell hes such­ a hard working, committed player. hes more than capable­ of keeping arsenal on track from left back during­ clichys time out.

    From John G, on Tue 3 Nov 4:47PM

  18. what do arsenal do to they're players!? another­ injury!
    thank god for gibbs and traore

    From Stewart, on Tue 3 Nov 4:43PM
  19. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    YET ANOTHER MELODRAMATIC TITLE! WHY IS CLICHY'S­ INJURY A "BLOW"?! IS HE IRREPLACEABLE, THE­ BEST IN THE WORLD, ARSENAL CAN'T WIN WITHOUT HIM?

    From Vítor, on Tue 3 Nov 4:32PM

  20. Patrice Evra..a poor man's Eric Abidal...your point­ Rafascrackingup? Oh by the way, Liverpool did a number­ 3 on your team....go figure.

    From Dale, on Tue 3 Nov 4:30PM
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