• Manager fears midfielder could be out for a
month
• Wenger: 'We pick up more injuries than other big teams'
Arsenal's Tomas Rosicky may be out for a month or
more as he recovers from a groin injury. Photograph: Clive
Brunskill/Getty Images
The Arsenal
manager Arsène Wenger
admits he is "devastated" at the news that Tomas Rosicky
could be out for a month with a groin injury.
Wenger had to withdraw the Czech Republic midfielder halfway
through his side's 2-0 Premier League win over Stoke
yesterday. The former Borussia Dortmund midfielder spent 18 months
on the sidelines before making his comeback from a series of
hamstring and knee injuries against Manchester City in
September.
Wenger has used Rosicky sparingly since his return but is now
facing up to the fact he could be without the £6.7m player for up
to a month.
"He's devastated and I am as well," Wenger said. "Before the
(Stoke) match I told myself, 'He has played the whole game on
Wednesday, should I take the gamble or not as it was such an
important game?'. But by half-time he was struggling."
Wenger also had to do without the Croatia striker Eduardo for 18
months after he broke his leg in a horrific tackle by Birmingham's
Martin Taylor in 2008. The 26-year-old took time to regain his full
fitness following the injury and Wenger believes Rosicky is having
the same problem.
"It's a vicious circle when you have been out for a long time.
Eduardo had not played for 18 months, Tomas has not played for 18
months," he said. "When you come back, one or two games, your body
has to get used to producing the energy levels again and it's
difficult. Nobody masters that.
"The first impression for me is that it won't be longer than a
month but it's a groin problem so we have to see the scan in 48
hours which grade it is. Grade one is 10 days but grade three is
three."
Wenger went into the match with a squad ravaged by injury.
William Gallas (hamstring), Emmanuel Eboué (muscle), Armand Traoré
(hamstring) and Andrey Arshavin (ankle) all picked up knocks during
the match while Eduardo (thigh) was a late withdrawal from the
squad.
Gael Clichy (back), Abou Diaby (calf) and Nicklas Bendtner
(groin) missed the win and are all doubts for next weekend's game
with Liverpool while Johan Djourou (knee), Kieran Gibbs (foot) and
Robin van Persie (ankle) are long-term absentees.
Arsenal are eight points off the top of the table and Wenger
admits the Gunners' injuries have given their top-four rivals the
edge in this season's title race.
"We pick up more injuries than the other big teams, that is
true," Wenger said. "You cannot say there is not a reason for it
but we have not found it yet. It's the worst season for injuries
for us. And they are all in the same area, in the offensive side.
Last year it was in the defensive side."
The Russia playmaker Arshavin was the star of the show at the
Emirates yesterday as he scored one and won a penalty, which Cesc
Fábregas missed, as the Gunners returned to winning ways after two
straight defeats.
Arshavin impressed as a lone striker in the absence of Van
Persie, who is out until April after tearing ankle ligaments during
Holland's friendly with Italy last month.
Wenger admits he is uncertain whether Arshavin will be able to
lead the line until Van Persie returns and said he may have to
enter the transfer market in January for a striker.
The Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh has been linked with a
move to the club but Wenger has warned that it will be tough to
find a striker who is able to fill Van Persie's boots in
January.
"I want to see if we are still in this same position at the
beginning of January," Wenger said. "But let's not dream too much
that in January we will be able to find a world-class player,
because that is what is needed to improve our squad, and who is not
cup-tied in Europe and who is free. You need a good Father
Christmas for that."