The result last night was undoubtedly a shocking and disappointing one, but the potential loss of Mikel Arteta for the remainder of the season is certainly more worrying.
The Spaniard was forced to come off after just eight minutes of play following a clash with Franco Di Santo. The injury is said to be a ‘serious one’ according to Arsene Wenger, with many believing the 29-year-old suffered a suspected broken ankle which will keep him sidelined for at least three months.
How big a loss will he be to Arsenal? In my opinion, a massive one.
I know we only have four games left to play, but Arteta has arguably been one of our best and in-form performers this season, and our unsung hero. His phenomenal work-rate, experience, as well as his passing distribution and accuracy, will be sorely missed.
Here is an interesting fact for you guys – Arsenal have not won a game without Arteta since his summer move from Everton (apart from last night of course).
Now I’m not saying we can’t get by without him, because we can. We have enough talent in our squad to get over the finish line and end up third above Spurs. But the loss of Arteta in our midfield will be recognizable and must be addressed accordingly by Wenger.
So I ask – who should fill Arteta’s boots for the next four games?
Well I can only realistically see four candidates for the job – Aaron Ramsey, Abou Diaby, Francis Coquelin and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Which out of the four would I pick? Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Aaron Ramsey is out of sorts currently, while throwing in Abou Diaby or Francis Coquelin, who have both just come back from Injury, would be very risky in my view.
Chamberlain is the obvious answer, but I think Wenger will rely on Ramsey to fill the hole left by Arteta, which is worrying.
What do you guys reckon – Will Arteta be a huge loss? And who should Wenger put in his place if he is out for the rest of the season?
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ox because he played very well against ac milan @cl with rosicky and song
Chamberlain first should be tried at AM, and drop rosicky back in games he may be coming up on rest. then flip flop them otherwise.
I think we should have song diaby and rosicky in midfield with oc and Walcott on the wings especially for the Chelsea game I’m hoping diaby will be fit for saturday if not Ramsey in artettas place and rosicky as the main playmaker
Ox is better to handle arteta role despite his age.
The answer must surely be Diaby, provided he is confident of full fitness after a long layoff due to injury.
His presence alone in midfield will be vital in the final run-in to the season.
A different player to Arteta but dominant in possession and a match winner on his own.
Strongly tink chamberlain shud, bt the young lad holds the ball for long. Now gonners check this, $785 per day, tips on hw 2 make, wat more could b beta, jst follow this link and learn more,
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Coquelin is the most suited because of his pace, hard tackling, accurate passing of the ball and a totally different player from Rosicky and Song. The boy equally looks technically gifted. Diaby looks too fragile and the OX is defensively suspect with Song maurading all over the pitch, the young Englishman can offer little cover for our defenders.
If fit Diaby, but his fitness probably goes against him. So probably Ox but he’s not in Arteta class at running the game. This is a real blow to us Arteta has been by far our best midfield player this season. Worried about last 4 games, it’s on the line now.
Arteta`s injury could well have sealed Arsenal`s fate but it forces us to make changes we otherwise wouldn`t. Diaby and Ramsey have been tried and tested without impressing me so I`ll plug for the youngsters Ox-C and Coquelin. The latter would probably get my vote against Chelsea with Ox ready to come on if it doesn`t work out.