Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is
'optimistic' playmaker Tomas Rosicky could return from injury
before Christmas.
Rosicky has not featured for the Gunners since January, after
undergoing hamstring surgery in May, but had been expected to make
his comeback this month.
However, the Czech Republic international suffered a setback in
his recovery leading some reports to even suggest his career could
be under threat.
Rosicky's agent, Pavel Paska, moved to dispel those rumours on
Thursday, and now Wenger has explained the reasons behind the
delay.
The Frenchman told the club's official website: "He is
not close to playing again and he has not had any real setback, but
the evolution (of his injury) is very slow.
"The recovery process is slower than we expected at the start.
It doesn't look worrying but the delay is longer than expected.
"He had a re-attached tendon that was loose in his hamstring,
and that demands a lot of time to re-coordinate the movements of
the hamstring. That makes it very difficult to predict exactly one
week more or less how much time it will take.
"But I am optimistic that before Christmas you will see him in a
good shape."
Of the injury, Rosicky told Denik Sport: "Everything
went well, according to the schedule. When I was running long
distances, it [the hamstring] gave me no problems at all.
"But when I started on the ball and tried to change directions
of running and changed pace, the knee reacted badly. So far it does
not allow me to go on in the recovery so it has stopped my training
for some time. I am not resting completely, though.
"I can lift weights and do other exercises. The knee simply must
get down. It does not mean at all though that I have to end my
career.
"I don't understand how it could have been published as no-one
has spoken with me on this issue. This news have come out probably
because I was expected to return in September, which failed.
"This injury is unusual and odd. Doctors tell me that the pain
can fade away quickly and I can be back in three weeks, but it can
also take more time.
"That is why I have to be patient. Every such treatment can
bring unexpected problems with it. That is what has happened now so
my return will be delayed."
Wenger also gave an update on long-term injury victim Eduardo,
who suffered a broken leg against Birmingham in February.
"He is still very much on course and he could be a very good
surprise because he is a little ahead of schedule," Wenger
added.