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Arsenal XI or Injury XI? How Will Arsenal Lineup Without Cazorla And Sanchez?

Alexis Sanchez
Alexis Sanchez

Arsenal certainly would not have expected such a season, although they have a decent chance of winning the Premier League crown, their fist in almost a decade, they have been plagued by various injuries which could scupper any chances they have of winning the crown.

Arsenal were already in code red after losing out a few players before the game against Norwich but they got the worst bit of news when they saw Alexis Sanchez clutch his hamstring. It got even worse seeing Santi Cazorla being taken off and the news is that Cazorla damaged his knee ligaments which could keep him out of action till March 2016.

With a host of key games coming up, including the trip to Greece where they play a crunch tie against Olympiakos in the Champions League just how can Arsenal deal with the host of injuries for the team?

Arsenal XI or Injury XI

The funny stat which came out recently was that Arsenal have had almost every outfield player this season injured at some point or another. That would be unheard of but this is Arsenal after all and for some reason they have the worst luck with injuries. This time around it was Sanchez, Koscielny and Cazorla picking up various injuries in the last game against Norwich.

Koscielny is the only player who could make the lineup against Sunderland, though Arsenal should be the favourites for the game, the number of injuries they currently have could well throw a spanner in the works. Sam Allardyce isn’t the easiest manager to play against and with Sunderland out of the relegation zone; they could well provide a shock at the Emirates this weekend.

Arsenal’s defence isn’t an issue with Koscielny, Bellerin, Mertesacker and Monreal, Koscielny could be the only doubt for the game but apart from that it isn’t much of an issue. The injuries have impacted their attack and defence.

The players who are injured for Arsenal at the moment are Sanchez, Cazorla, Coquelin, Arteta, Walcott, Wilshere, Rosicky and Welbeck. That is a quality lineup who are not fit enough to play against Sunderland. In fact, a few of the players will be out for a considerable time.

To manage this issue, Arsene would have to reshuffle a few players, at the heart of the midfield should come in Aaron Ramsey, who for some reason has been played out wide this season. Mathieu Flamini being the only fit defensive midfielder would be the partner for the Welsh midfielder.

Arsenal's Alex Ox Chamberlain will be itching to prove himself in the absence of Alexis Sanchez
Arsenal’s Alex Ox Chamberlain

In attack, the lineup would be led by Olivier Giroud and Mesut Ozil would probably play behind him. Thankfully for Arsenal they have the services of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who will play down the right or left. Joel Campbell should get a few more games in the absence of Santi and Alexis and that should be the front line for Arsenal.

Any more injuries and that could well bring some of the academy players into the team and Arsene would not want such a situation arising.