Arsene Wenger Provides Injury And Podolski Updates

So Wenger and Arsenal face up to West Brom tomorrow and the press pre-match press conference took place this morning. What were the main points?

Podolski is not guaranteed more gametime

A main point of the past few weeks has been whether Podolski will be at Arsenal still after the January transfer window with the Arsenal man being linked to transfers after recent comments to German magazine Kicker, in which he stated he wasn’t going to be a clown that sits out his contract in silence on the bench. But Wenger stated this morning that he wasn’t going to get extra gametime just to keep him happy.

Wenger stated, “I have had no enquiries from anybody [regarding a transfer for Lukas Podolski]. He faces big competition [for places in the Arsenal team]. He has an outstanding attitude and he works very hard.”

So doesn’t look like he’ll be starting many games any time soon, and no-one looks that keen to take him off our hands.

Walcott and Arteta are out, along with Wilshere

Wenger also confirmed a couple of injuries have hit the camp, and Walcott will not play any part in the match tomorrow due to an inflamed groin.

Arteta picked up a further knock and is also out of the match.

Everyone knows Wilshere is out for another 3 months, but we can be lucky it’s not season ending. He could have snapped an ankle in the challenge from McNair but he tweeted, “Most people would have broken their ankle if someone tackled them like this. Luckily I have lose joints, not brittle, so I only damaged my ligaments.”

Wenger also defended the England midfielder in the interview, stating, “He deals very well with tackles and kicks but nobody would’ve dealt with that tackle. His injury is the consequence of a very bad tackle that was not malicious, and if he has no problems with his joints he will make a massive career.”

Sanogo and Welbeck are doubtful

Adding to the injuries that are certain we are also suffering a mini crisi upfront, with Welbeck and Sanogo both doubtful for  the match tomorrow. I hope Giroud can get through the whole 90 minutes, because he seemed in decent nick against United.