Arsene Wenger regrets http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Samir-Nasri-c32360’s inclusion in squad
Arsenal’s Manager, Arsene Wenger has gone on to admit that Samir Nasri is now a major doubt for Arsenal’s clash against Barcelona. The player was included in the Arsenal squad that took on Huddersfield in the FA Cup, with the decision leading to some serious
consequences. Despite of Arsenal winning by two goals to one, the team suffered a major blow in the shape of a hamstring injury to Nasri. Resultantly the 23-year-old midfielder had to be substituted early on in the first half because he couldn’t carry on any
longer after tweaking his hamstring.
Wenger made a number of changes to the side that went on to reach the Carling Cup final, after beating Ipswich town by three goals to nil in the semi final.
Nasri was made part of the team, only because of the fact that Tomas Rosicky was suffering from a virus and was too weak to participate as part of the starting eleven.
Things seemed to be going Arsenal’s way, when they started to take the offence to the visitors early on. Arsenal eventually found the breakthrough on the 22nd
minute and looked to be on the cruise control, to ride out the game in style. However, when French midfielder collapsed to the floor after chasing a long-ball, it seemed like things were taking a toll for the worse.
Nasri was then taken off the pitch and Arsenal got equalized upon. They went on to win the game; thanks to a very late penalty and as a result Arsenal are now through to the fifth round of the FA Cup.
However, in accordance to what had happened Wenger is reported to have said, "Nasri looks to have a serious hamstring injury. Usually it is three weeks. We have to see if it is a grade 1, it will be two weeks, so we will see. I have now regrets because the
plan was to play Rosicky, but he was still too weak because he was sick, so I took the gamble on Nasri. It backfired, but he could have come on and that happened as well. It is very difficult to predict. We are at the stage of the season where we play so many
games that to lose bodies is very difficult for us. But Samir is a big blow."
It is still unclear as to why Wenger had to use Nasri in such a game, since a reserve player who was not so crucial to the side, could have been used in the side. With the 23-year-old footballer now a major doubt to face Barcelona, Arsenal’s hopes of even
trying to beat the team have been put to scepticism. In the build up to one of the biggest, if not the biggest game of the Champions League quarter finals, it was believed that Nasri would be the only player who cloud unlock the Spanish sides backline. However,
with him now being injured, it is quite unclear as to what is going to happen.
Arsenal, despite being in the finals of the Carling cup and the fifth round of the FA Cup, wouldn’t be able to really enjoy the season if they get knocked out at such an early stage in the Champions League once again.
Nonetheless, it is far too early to state anything, as Nasri might be able to pull off a miraculous recovery and be fit in time to face the Spanish side.
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