Arsenal fans will be concerned ahead of the FA-Cup semi-final clash against Wigan, after Arsène Wenger admitted there are several doubts to make the squad.
Walking Wounded
The French manager claimed that while Özil and Koscielny will be unable to return to the squad, there are three other injuries that could hamper their progress in the competition.
“We have so many uncertainties about Chamberlain (groin), Gibbs (ankle), Rosicky (thigh). There will be last-minute decisions on those three players. They are all 50:50.”
Ramsey Return
Despite the injury list, Wenger will be delighted with Aaron Ramsey’s fitness, the Welshman set for his first start in over four months on Saturday afternoon.
He confirmed to the press that with a long list of players out for the big game, Ramsey will slot into the team in hope of hitting his early season form yet again.
Wenger claimed that, “he is ready to start and certainly I will decide to start him because Flamini is suspended.”
Bare Bones
With Wenger’s comments in mind, the expected line-up for at Wembley is expected to be very different to the one against Everton last weekend.
Fabianski – Sagna – Mertesacker – Vermaelen – Monreal – Kallstrom – Arteta – Ramsey – Cazorla – Podolski – Giroud
Fabianski will come back into the squad as the first choice goalkeeper for domestic competitions, while it is expected that January loan signing Kim Kallstrom will get the nod alongside Arteta, due to the low number of midfielders at the Gunners disposal.
Obvious Opportunities
Arsenal will be motivated to succeed against Wigan as the wait for a trophy slowly creeps towards a decade next year.
With this adversity in mind, Wenger made it clear that his side will not take anything for granted in the game and reiterated his desire to win trophies for the club.
“We respect highly for Wigan for what they have done and the best way to go to the final is to do that.”
“We are in a competition where we have a great opportunity, we play against a good opponent but it's a great challenge for us and of course we want to take the opportunity to go in the final."
Motivation, Determination, Belief
The atmosphere will be electric inside Wembley at 17:07, the Gunners returning to the new stadium for the third time and will be hoping to be on the winning side come the end of the game.
In addition to the many key players injured, there is big pressure resting on the shoulders of the inconsistent Olivier Giroud, Mikel Arteta and their fellow teammates.
But with a manager who has been in this position many times before and a Wigan team who are focused on promotion to the Premier League, Arsenal could rewrite the script and find themselves in the FA Cup final come Saturday night.
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