With the crunch clash with high-flying West Brom on the horizon, Arsenal won't be cheered up by the fact that their two first-choice wingers are out of the game with injuries.

Piling up

Podolski, who's had a minor injury all season, has finally moved to the sidelines, while Walcott has not regained fitness despite a rest. They join Bacary Sagna and Laurent Koscielny on the sidelines. (Koscielny has completed week 1 of his 'three week' injury, let's see how long that one lasts).

It's not an ideal situation, but one that tends to happen over the season. What's the issue is many Gooners are contemplating a wing duo of Gervinho and the struggling Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain. Olivier Giroud has lacked service of late, and they aren't the two to give it to him.

However, the return of Tomas Rosicky to fitness has presented an interesting alternative.

Back to basics

Santi Cazorla currently plays a free 'number 10' role in midfield, though he's been forced deeper and wider as the team has struggled. Before this he was a winger for both Villarreal and Malaga, cutting in to create a-la David Silva.

By playing Rosicky in the midfield three and putting Cazorla back into the position he's played more in (he's not out of position at number 10, he clearly enjoys it), Arsenal can replicate to a degree the formation that saw them challenge for trophies.

Back in the 'glory days' of 2010-11, Arsenal played one 'wide forward' winger and a creative midfielder out wide, normally Theo Walcott and Samir Nasri. Rosicky can take the role of Cesc Fabregas (while he lacks the Spaniard's complete game, he has an eye for a pass and reading of the game that rivals his) while Cazorla becomes what we all wanted Nasri to be had he not buggered off to Man Sheik.

Rosicky and Oxlade-Chamberlain can swap positions, as can Cazorla and the youngster. Fluid as you like, and fast and creative too. When Podolski comes back, swap Cazorla to the right and carry on.

These two injuries may prove very useful.

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