These scans are from a set of slides I was given a few years ago.

Jack loves a tackle

Let’s start with Jack. One of the things that endeared him to us all (apart from his fantastic vision and skill) is his ability to take knocks – pick himself up – dust himself off – and get on with the game. I’m sure Wenger had no intention on him playing the 50+ games he did for club and country last year. It was a culmination of Wenger being under intense pressure, other players having injury’s (Cesc/Rambo/Diaby/Rosicky) and ultimately Jack playing in a manner that was making him undroppable. It’s very easy (and I see many doing it) criticising the manager in hindsight, but if Arsene had dropped him last year, we all would have been up in arms demanding the reintroduction of our talisman, which at the time he undoubtedly was. It does show, however, why Arsene was so against him going away with the Under 21’s. Personally I don’t understand why, after getting his way about the U21 situation, he didn’t give Jack an extended holiday and let him recover fully. I could then go on to say how we should have brought Arteta/Benayoun in July so he wouldn’t be missed as much, but I’d just be covering old ground.

At the end of the day the manager made his decision, and now he must deal with the consequences. I’m sure he regrets playing him ‘in the red zone’ but what choice did he have. If he’s rested him for any of Liverpool (H), Spurs (A), Bolton (A) or United (H) last season there would have been mass hysteria amongst the fans.

Going on to the larger picture of the injury history we’ve had over the last few years, I’m a little bit undecided. Firstly I’m in no doubt that our players are some of the fittest in the game. It’s one of the reasons we seem to be able to cause major problems in the final ten minutes of the game but, like a precision piece of machinery, the more highly tuned and intricate it is, the more chance there is that it will go wrong. There is also a school of thought that we just seem to have accumulated fragile players (although I think that’s a little bit too simplistic).

The good doctor

I have heard people criticise our medical team, but I refuse to believe that we haven’t got the best we can get in that department. I’ve always felt a little bit sorry for Colin Lewin. Since his cousin Gary (still the only physio I’ve heard have his name sung by fans in the stands) went to work full-time with the England set-up, Colin seems to have taken flack from some quarters as if to suggest he isn’t as good a physiotherapist. Now, this might be true, but none of us really know. What I am sure of is that if Colin wasn’t as strong as Gary, Arsenal would have replaced him before now. We do have a wealth of experience in the medical team. Club doctor Gary O’Driscoll (who is also Brian O’Driscoll’s cousin) has worked for the Irish Rugby team and the British & Irish Lions as well as Arsenal. Although rugby is a totally different sport with different injuries, if he felt we were doing something wrong then I’m sure he would make it known or at least be attempting to improve things.

Bad techniques?

The one thing left to analyse is our training techniques. We all know Wenger has been credited with revolutionary training systems since he arrived in England 15 years ago. It is now, however, coming under scrutiny. Wales’ Dutch conditioning coach (Raymond Verheijen), who has a huge amount of experience in both domestic and International football, has openly criticised Arsene Wenger’s set-up. He seems to think we train at too high an intensity. I suppose you are then in the catch 22 of not being as fit (as I’m sure that’s why our players can keep going when others can’t) or having more injuries. I don’t know enough to judge it myself, but I do know Arsenal have had their training independently reviewed recently, so maybe times they are a changing. It doesn’t bring Jack back any quicker though does it!?!

So, we have to get used to life on the pitch without young Mr. Wilshere for now. Let’s face it at least we have an alternative option now. Obviously, in the immediate future, a lot depends on what condition people return from International duty in. Rambo has almost been expected to take on the mantle this season, somewhat unfairly as he & Jack are different types of players, and the Welshman has a massive (and I’m sure bruising) game against England to get through unscathed tomorrow night before we can start counting on his inclusion against Swansea. I’m sure many people will assume that Arteta will just slot into the advanced midfielder slot and therefore be a direct replacement for Cesc. If you have watched Arteta over the years for Everton though, since he moved centrally from wide right, he sits a lot deeper than people realise (much the same as Jack). He also is a lot more combative than people give him credit for (much the same as Jack). In fact, I think our new signing would be more comfortable filling Jack’s boots than he would Cesc’s.

A new hope

This still gives us the problem of who is going to fill the advanced role of the midfield trio. Well Yossi ’No medical’ Benayoun could play that role, but I’m not sure having two new signings in the midfield straight away would be wise. This is especially poignant as the third is likely to be the young and inexperienced (albeit highly regarded) Emmanuel Frimpong. I think for the Swansea game (injuries permitting) Rambo will play and he and Arteta will share the playmaking responsibilities. Are we then in danger though, of getting into a similar position with young Aaron as we are with Jack? He is (along with Monkey Boy Bale) the poster boy of the Welsh team and at the moment I can’t see him getting much rest!

There is a school of thought that Arshavin should be given the chance to show what he can do centrally. The Swansea game would arguably be an ideal time to do this, but with the start we’ve had I think we just need to get three points and build.

What is the Russian for 'Pull your finger out'?

I always get a little bit restless during the Interlull, but I can’t wait for the two home games we’ve got coming up. We will get the chance to see all the new signings (if not against Swansea then against Shrewsbury). Plus I think many of us see Saturday as a chance to get back on the horse again after licking our Manchester United inflicted wounds. League wise, we are entering a three game run where we should be looking at a minimum 7 point haul if we want to take something substantial into the derby on the 2^{nd October.}

Either way, it’d be nice to talk about football again rather than transfers and injuries.

Thanks for reading.

Dave

*Well sadly its injuries that are once again the major Arsenal talking point. As reported at the top of this post Thomas Vermaelen is set to miss the next two months after undergoing surgery on his ankle in Stockholm yesterday.

Broken again

It’s a major blow to both the player & the team, we’ve only just got used to having the Belgian back after he missed much of last season with an achilles injury.

It seems that this is just pure bad luck, the centre half took a kick in the game against Udinese and has failed to recover sufficiently during the intervening fortnight leading the club to sanction surgery in the hope that Tommy can avoid another lengthy enforced absence. The nature of the injury and indeed the medical procedure undertaken to treat it are not as yet clear but all this means that Per Mertesacker is going to have to hit the ground running & form an understanding with Laurent Koscielny.

Instant impact required

There are still many Gooners adamant that we should have signed Gary Cahill ahead of the German, or indeed as well as, and no doubt those voices of discontent will now be crying out again and will go into hyper drive should the German international make even the smallest of mistakes in his first few appearances for the club. If there is indeed an error made by the giant German then I hope that there isn’t a flurry of outrage and cries of ‘Not good enough’ because we’re once again asking a player to step into a team devoid of some of its best and most pivotal players, expecting new additions to instantly fill the breach and look as if they had played in this team their whole careers. Hopefully that is what will happen but we can’t go heaping expectations or indeed throwing tantrums and call for heads to roll at the sight of slight mishaps.

With any luck Vermaelen will be back much sooner than two month window that has been suggested but until then it is yet another center back partnership for the Arsenal – Mertecielny.

Paul.

James was the only absentee from the 23-man squad on the day before the Wembley clash, although the Portsmouth stopper was not sent back to his club.

David James

The 22 remaining players trained at Arsenal’s London Colney complex, with West Ham striker Carlton Cole the last out of the dressing room to join the group.

England Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce oversaw a light session of ball work after the players warmed up, then goalkeepers Joe Hart and Ben Foster trained separately while the rest of the players played 10 v 10.

It was during this session Liverpool skipper Gerrard returned to the dressing room, accompanied by physio Gary Lewin.

England boss Fabio Capello has previously stated he wants to pick his strongest possible starting XI for the Belarus clash, even though his side have secured their place at the World Cup in South Africa next year.

Robert Green is suspended after being sent off in Saturday’s defeat to Ukraine and Wayne Rooney is out through injury.

James was the only absentee from the 23-man squad on the day before the Wembley clash, although the Portsmouth stopper was not sent back to his club.

The 22 remaining players trained at Arsenal’s London Colney complex, with West Ham striker Carlton Cole the last out of the dressing room to join the group.

England Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce oversaw a light session of ball work after the players warmed up, then goalkeepers Joe Hart and Ben Foster trained separately while the rest of the players played 10 v 10.

It was during this session Liverpool skipper Gerrard returned to the dressing room, accompanied by physio Gary Lewin.

England boss Fabio Capello has previously stated he wants to pick his strongest possible starting XI for the Belarus clash, even though his side have secured their place at the World Cup in South Africa next year.

Robert Green is suspended after getting sent off in Saturday’s defeat to Ukraine and Wayne Rooney is out through injury.

Not a lot of people know this, But Former Arsenal physiotherapist Gary Lewin was a goalkeeper at Arsenal.

And in 1983 Lewin played for Arsenal vs Teddy Sheringham’s Millwall.

Enjoy the game

Join our forum www.arsenalaction.com

England are missing several first-choice players ahead of Wednesday’s friendly international against Germany, the most recent withdrawals those of Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard, who has a groin injury, and Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard (rib).

Adrian Bevington

On Monday, Capello asked Gerrard to make a lengthy round trip to have his injury assessed by England physiotherapist Gary Lewin, but Bevington insists the injuries suffered by both players are legitimate, adding that there was “no dispute” over the withdrawals.

Bevington told BBC Radio 5 Live: “Gerrard reported for duty last night [Sunday], was assessed by the medics, scanned this morning.

“It’s a legitimate injury and he goes back to his club for treatment. Obviously he [Capello] is disappointed that he’s losing players. I’ve spoken personally with both players, they’re gutted about it.

“I’ve spoken with Gary Lewin, our physio, and he has absolutely no issue – he’s looked at them both and they go back having been scanned.”

Meanwhile, former FA executive director David Davies has called on the England management and leading clubs to “reach a long-term deal” in order to avoid rows over the release of players for international matches.

He told BBC Radio 5 Live: “It’s one of the oldest rows and it goes back many years to when I was a BBC reporter travelling with the England team under Bobby Robson and Graham Taylor.

“The same arguments were being waged. In my time inside the FA we reached understandings – albeit unofficial understandings – with the managers, and we didn’t have quite as many rows some people sometimes suggest.

“The reality is that until and unless the clubs and the FA reach a long-term deal and understanding on an issue like this, this sort of situation will continue.”

England are missing several first-choice players for Wednesday’s friendly in Germany, the most recent withdrawals those of Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard, who has a groin injury, and Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard (rib).

Depleted squad: Fabio Capello

Capello asked Gerrard to make a lengthy round trip to have his injury assessed by the England physio Gary Lewin, but FA director of communications Adrian Bevington said the injuries suffered by both players are legitimate, and that there was ‘no dispute’ over the withdrawals.

‘Gerrard reported for duty, was assessed by the medics, it’s a legitimate injury and he goes back to his club for treatment,’ he said.

‘Obviously he [Capello] is disappointed that he’s losing players. I’ve spoken personally with both players, they’re gutted about it.

‘I’ve spoken with Gary Lewin, our physio, and he has absolutely no issue – he’s looked at them both and they go back having been scanned.’

Terry’s absence after once again failing to take part in training due to a back problem had largely been expected.

Out: Terry, right, and Cole

The Chelsea captain missed Saturday’s win over Kazakhstan with the injury and although he was able to do some running with physio Gary Lewin yesterday, he was not able to take the necessary step forward and coach Fabio Capello quickly decided the 28-year-old could not make the trip to Minsk.

However, the loss of Cole is a grievous blow. While there has been plenty of comment about the full-back since the weekend win, none of it related to the hamstring injury that will keep him out on Wednesday.

Although Cole was at fault for Kazakhstan’s goal, he has a largely unblemished record at international level and while likely replacement Wayne Bridge is a competent enough performer, clearly successive Chelsea managers, including Jose Mourinho and Luis Felipe Scolari, believe the former Southampton man is very much second best.

Bridge will not need reminding his last competitive appearance for England was the seismic 3-2 home defeat to Croatia last November that cost the Three Lions their place at Euro 2008 and Steve McClaren his job.

‘It’s disappointing to lose two very experienced players in John Terry and Ashley Cole for the game in Belarus,’ said Capello.

‘Unfortunately they have no chance of playing, so it is best they return to Chelsea.’

Rio Ferdinand will keep the captain’s armband, with Matthew Upson almost certain to retain his place despite a hesitant performance as Terry’s replacement at Wembley.

I have to admit; I’m getting excited for the new season.  I know, we’re three and a half weeks out but I’m still excited and yesterday’s 10-2 drubbing of some pub team in Austria only helped raise the level of excitement a bit.

It’s not the score line that got me excited, it’s the fact that some of the young players looked so good.  Jack Wilshire in particular is pretty obviously a rising star in the Arsenal academy.  Yesterday, all he did was score 2 goals and set up Theo for another.  Now, Wenger has warned us all not to get too excited about the player while at the same time reminding us that Wilshire is the only 16 year old that he’s brought with him to the camp.  It’s too early to say “he’s the next Fabregas” but I would not be surprised at all to see this kid get his chances in the League Cup and maybe even a Premier League start.  Just like Fabregas did when he was 16 (ZOMG!!! He’s the next Fabregas!)

The rest of the team is starting to shape up as well, with only two players still ruled out due to injury; Rosicky and Eduardo.  Rosicky is still recovering from a May knee surgery, which he underwent to correct the problem that had plagued last season with niggling injuries, and will be out until at least September.  Don’t be shocked if that date is moved to October then November, etc etc.  I’m just going to say it: this season really has to be his last chance at the club.  If he’s injured again this year, I say sell him on.  There will no doubt be a significant loss in transfer fees but it has to be worth it when you consider the gaping hole on the right side of the midfield that is filled currently with Eboue.

Meanwhile, van Persie, Arsenal’s other ubiquitously injured all-star, is praying for an injury free season.  Me too, his goal scoring (nearly 1 goal every two games), vision, powerful free kicks, and footballing guile are all needed if Arsenal are going to seriously challenge for silverware this season.

I don’t know who’s going to hold all these sick ward players together now that Gary Lewin is off to be chief Physio for the England national team.  Though I make light of this, it is a tremendous loss for Arsenal.  Gary’s quick thinking is widely credited for saving Eduardo’s foot after he was brutally attacked by Martin Taylor.  Good luck Gary and thanks for 28 years of service to the club.

And finally, Arsenal are rumored to have bid £5m for Goekhan Inler.  I’ve watched him pretty closely in several games and remain unimpressed; he reminds me of a poor man’s Gilberto.  That said, he’s a physically solid player and if Arsenal do buy him we can trust that Wenger will polish him up and turn him into something he currently is not.  If that happens, £5m would seem a good bit of business.

That’s it for today.  There’s a friendly against VfB Stuttgart tomorrow which is supposedly going to be broadcast live via Arsenal TV.  If you live in the U.S. you can NOT watch the match on Setanta, according to my research.  Oh well.

Gary is so well respected in the footballing world that he has his own section on The PhysioRoom website, and it is really no suprise that England have made his role full time and permanent, forcing him to choose to leave Arsenal after 21 years dedicated service.

So good luck Gary, we all wish you the best, and thank you for all the years of looking after some of the top footballers in Europe who have worn Arsenal shirts.

Oh and look after Theo for us will you.

Norwich City physio Neal Reynolds is leaving Carrow Road to join Arséne Wenger at Premier League giants Arsenal.

Reynolds is set to end his seven-year affair with Norwich City to become assistant to current England physio Gary Lewin.

At 34-years-old Reynolds has witnessed something of a cull in the treatment room at City’s training HQ with his own assistant, Peter Shaw, and Academy physio Rod Dyer axed less than a fortnight ago.

“Neal is an excellent physio and we would have liked to have retained his services,” said Roeder. “However, this is a good opportunity for him and we wish him all the best.”

Doncaster added:

“Neal’s ability and reputation in the game has earned him this excellent opportunity at Arsenal and we would not want to stand in his way. Every one at the club would like to thank Neal for his hard work for the Canaries.”

The latter sentiments will be most warmly seconded by City defender Adam Drury, who has Reynolds to thank for avoiding suffering a serious problem after a calf injury October.

Reynolds might even by in line for an ultra-swift promotion with the Football Association hoping to persuade Lewin to become their first full-time physio.

Lewin has held the role on a part-time basis since 1996 – working at three World Cup finals – but new England boss Fabio Capello wants him on a permanent contract.

Article Taken From EDP24, Quotes From Norwich City’s Official Website.

So everybody is leaving a great club this summer with the likely candidates heading for the exit door depending on what site/paper you subscribe to being Philippe Senderos, Mathieu Flamini, Alex Hleb and Gilberto. The Gilberto and Flamini situation needs to watched very closely as both (‘allegedly’) Juventus and AC Milan are after both players. How strange would that be? Both players vying for the number one defensive midfield spot at the same team. You couldn’t write that could you? Apparently Juventus have been pegged back in the race for Flamini by AC Milan who have according to some reports taken the pole position to sign the contract rebel. We’ll see what happens there. But also AC Milan are after Brazilian Gilberto as well although AS Roma are reportedly sniffing around. My gut instinct is that Gilberto will go in the summer, which weakens the experience in our young squad and I also believe Flamini will go to pastures new, have to re-establish himself in a new team but I’m sure counting all that filthy lucre will keep him busy. Once again only time will tell and we have now got six days to find out what happens next. It’s like watching a film plot unfold all this will he wont he shenanigans. I’ll be glad when it’s over, one way or another. 

The comings again dependant on what paper/site you subscribe to are that Portsmouth’s Niko Kranjcar is headed our way and that is coming from Kranjcar’s Croatian coach Slaven Bilic. Would love to have Kranjcar on board as he has got Premier League experience and knows where the goal is which can’t be said of late of our current midfield crop. Also the perennial stories of Newcastle player Charles N’zogbia coming our way are rearing their heads again. Really not sure where that story started but its one that crops up more times than Henry to Barcelona stories, oh that’s already happened – see what I mean, bloody groundhog day all over again. 

And now onto injuries. It seems Abou Diaby thought he was missing out on something as there’s now more players in the Arsenal treatment room than scouser’s down the job centre. What is it with out players? I think we have had more injuries than our fair share of injuries this season but even with only three games to go there’s no let up. Gary Lewin must be the most overworked person at The Grove.