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Arsene Wenger says that he's very worried about the injury inflicted on Abou Diaby in injury
time at the end of the win over Sunderland earlier today. And understandably so. Arsenal physio
Gary Lewin took no time at all to call for a stretcher for Diaby, who was
clearly in a lot of pain, and Lewin appeared on telly to be saying "it's broken". The injury has since been confirmed as a dislocated and broken ankle. He's clearly out for the rest of the season.
The loss of Diaby makes the fitness of Gilberto and Cesc Fabregas
all the more crucial for the Champs League final, although the return of
Gael Clichy and Ashley Cole does at least mean that Mathieu Flamini could be free to
return to his former position in central midfield to fill in if required. Of course, no-one
in the squad is going to be as reliable as Cesc and Gilberto.
Sunderland's loss means that, with 2 games left, they can accrue a maxiumum of
of 18 points this season, and will definitely beat their own record lowest Premiership points
total of 19, set three years ago.
And with games against Fulham and Aston Villa to come, it's probably
inadvisable to bet on them getting more than 14. Things may be looking up
for them for next year, with former Arsenal star Niall Quinn heading a
consortium that looks set to take over at the Stadium of Light.
Personally I'd put their plight mainly down to Mick McCarthy, who seemed to come out
after every game and slag his own players off. "Can't fault them for effort, they're just
rubbish", seemed the be the constant message.
People often knock Wenger, as well as other top managers like Alex Ferguson and
Jose Mourinho, for almost never being critical of their own players. "Excuses, excuses,"
they say, when for example Wenger appears to blame his side's recent loss to Tottenham
totally on a controversial (but fair) goal, instead of accepting some of
the blame himself for his choice of line-up. But perhaps these top managers
understand that it's important not to undermine the confidence of their players.
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