With injuries mounting at the Emirates, Arsenal could be forced to start with youngster Carl Jenkinson against Liverpool.
According to reports in the Guardian, the Gunners squad is so thinly stretched that manager Arsene Wenger is expected to give Jenkinson his Premier League debut against the Reds on Saturday.
This is despite the defender only making seven career starts in League One so far, though the 19-year-old did acquit himself well when substituted on during Arsenal's 1-0 win against Udinese in their UEFA Champions League qualifier.
Jenkinson was a £1million signing from Charlton Athletic during the transfer window, and faces a daunting challenge against Liverpool strikers Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll.
But it is not just in defence that the depleted Gunners are suffering, with Samir Nasri also on the verge of leaving for Manchester City for a £22 million move, which would leave their midfield options scarce.
Former club captain Cesc Fabregas has already departed to Barcelona and won his first silverware on Wednesday after the Catalans beat Real Madrid in an ill-contested 3-2 victory in the Spanish Supercopa final, and Wenger will also not have Abou Diaby, Jack Wilshere and Alex Song for selection, as the trio are out with either injuries or suspension.
The Frenchman will also not be able to pick new signing Gervinho, who was sent off on his Premier League debut against Newcastle after slapping Joey Barton during their 0-0 draw.
Winger Theo Walcott admitted that the treatment room was getting crowded at the Emirates, saying: We've had a couple of injuries and we have to hope they are not too bad."
"We have got a fairly big squad but we don't want the squad to get lower and lower. Gibbsy and Johan have come off but the boss knows what he is doing and hopefully those players will be fit and ready to go again soon.
The England star also admitted that the Gunners needed to bring in experienced hands to steady the ship, saying: "It is important to have a mixture of experience and young players".
"The boss has picked off great players who we don't know where they have come from, so only time will tell what he is going to do. Now we have got another very tough game against Liverpool at the weekend."
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According to reports in the Guardian, the Gunners squad is so thinly stretched that manager Arsene Wenger is expected to give Jenkinson his Premier League debut against the Reds on Saturday.
This is despite the defender only making seven career starts in League One so far, though the 19-year-old did acquit himself well when substituted on during Arsenal's 1-0 win against Udinese in their UEFA Champions League qualifier.
Jenkinson was a £1million signing from Charlton Athletic during the transfer window, and faces a daunting challenge against Liverpool strikers Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll.
But it is not just in defence that the depleted Gunners are suffering, with Samir Nasri also on the verge of leaving for Manchester City for a £22 million move, which would leave their midfield options scarce.
Former club captain Cesc Fabregas has already departed to Barcelona and won his first silverware on Wednesday after the Catalans beat Real Madrid in an ill-contested 3-2 victory in the Spanish Supercopa final, and Wenger will also not have Abou Diaby, Jack Wilshere and Alex Song for selection, as the trio are out with either injuries or suspension.
The Frenchman will also not be able to pick new signing Gervinho, who was sent off on his Premier League debut against Newcastle after slapping Joey Barton during their 0-0 draw.
Winger Theo Walcott admitted that the treatment room was getting crowded at the Emirates, saying: We've had a couple of injuries and we have to hope they are not too bad."
"We have got a fairly big squad but we don't want the squad to get lower and lower. Gibbsy and Johan have come off but the boss knows what he is doing and hopefully those players will be fit and ready to go again soon.
The England star also admitted that the Gunners needed to bring in experienced hands to steady the ship, saying: "It is important to have a mixture of experience and young players".
"The boss has picked off great players who we don't know where they have come from, so only time will tell what he is going to do. Now we have got another very tough game against Liverpool at the weekend."
more..
