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Wenger’s Pre-Spurs Injury Update: Podolski, Wilshere, Ramsey & Arteta

By on August 29, 2013

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has given a team news and injury update ahead of Sunday’s clash with Tottenham and it’s a case of good news/bad news.

Let’s start with the bad news and predictably Lukas Podolski has been ruled out for longer than first feared. Wenger gave his usual ‘3 week’ prognosis after Podolski was forced off with a hamstring injury in the Fenerbache game but it turns out the injury is far worse and the German is set to be on the sidelines for 8-10 weeks.

However, there is more positive news on Wilshere and Ramsey who both also picked up knocks in midweek. The boss has confirmed they are fit to face Spurs despite a few ‘bumps and bruises’. This is a huge boost as we’d be stuffed if these two were ruled out as well.

Wenger also confirmed that Arteta is ‘a few weeks’ away from returning but captain Thomas Vermaelen could be back in contention after the international break.

Here’s what the boss told Arsenal.com:

on Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere…

The news is quite positive. They just had bumps and bruises. They will be involved.

on Lukas Podolski…

It is bad news about Lukas Podolski as he will be out for eight to 10 weeks. His hamstring is much more damaged than we thought at the start. It is very disappointing and we have paid a very heavy price for that win [over Fenerbahce]. We have to be patient now.

on the more long-term injuries…

Arteta is doing OK but there are few weeks to go with him. Thomas Vermaelen could be back after the international break.

With Podolski now ruled out for the best part of 10 weeks, it heightens our need for attacking reinforcements. Unfortunately it doesn’t look like they will be signed in time to face Spurs on Sunday so we’ll be heading into the north London derby with a thread-bare squad.

The first eleven will probably be OK, but the bench is going to be packed with inexperienced kids. Not ideal.

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