Arsenal players, officials, fans all are waiting for Sunday’s affair with Birmingham City in the Carling Cup 2011 final at the Wembley Stadium in London. However, the Gunners have been badly hit by injury ahead of the highly significant match with the millions of fans expecting Arsenal’s first title since FA Cup 2005.
Arsenal started last night’s 1-0 win over Stoke City, leaving in-form striker Robin van Persie and defender Laurent Koscielny in the treatment room. Van Persie is recovering from hamstring injury and Koscielny is taking treatment for his back problem. However, nothing can be said on their involvement in the Birmingham match until they are further assessed on Friday.
Just to make the matter worse, Arsenal picked up two new injury problems from Stoke City encounter. Captain Cesc Fabregas was substituted in the 14th minute after his niggling hamstring problem reappeared and manager Arsene Wenger did not take any risk on his prized asset.
Then in the 71st minute of the game in-from striker Theo Walcott, who showed elements of confidence brought from the Barcelona game, was stretchered off after twisting his ankle. Wenger has already ruled Walcott out of the Carling Cup final, but the Frenchman is still hopeful of the services of Fabregas, though, nothing can be said until the Spaniard’s condition is fully assessed by the club’s medical team.
Overall, Walcott is for sure out of the Birmingham match, while Robin van Persie, Laurent Koscielny and Cesc Fabregas are running against time to be back in contention for the final.
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