Ranking Arsenal’s Most Missed Injured Players

Arsenal may be sitting atop the Premier League, tied with Manchester City with 26 points, but the Gunners will be relishing the prospect of the upcoming international break. Arsenal have been on an absolute tear in the Premier League prior to the team’s shaky performance against bitter North London rivals, Tottenham. During the derby it was obvious that the Gunners were feeling the effects of their packed schedule. Furthermore a slew of injuries has stymied the momentum of the squad.

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With important players set to return after the international break, and even more able bodies returning in just over a month and half for the new year, Arsenal can look forward to much needed reinforcements coming soon. Players like Santi Carzola, Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud looked far from their best against Spurs, but help should be on the way soon.

Before we start the countdown, let’s hit some honorable mentions. There are two: Jack Wilshere and Tomas Rosicky.

The very fact that a list like this could have an honorable mention category is just sad. However, these two players are certainly worth a mention. Although in my opinion a healthy Jack Wilshere and Tomas Rosicky would simply be a luxury for Arsenal at this point.

In their pomp, both of these players are creative game changers who can get you a goal from nothing. Both Rosicky and Wilshere have scored some of the very best goals in Arsenal history. Who could forget Jack’s goal against Norwich back in 2013, which was a shining example of Arsenal’s beautiful passing game. Or Tomas Rosicky’s unstoppable thunderbolt goal against Tottenahm that same season.

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These are two players who can absolutely change the complexion of a game in a split second with their invention and creativity. However, when it comes to the weekly benefit of the squad, Rosicky and Jack simply don’t hold enough sway. Neither have played a minute for the Gunners this year and even if they were healthy it would be difficult to see them muscling out one of the starting XI regulars.

We should expect both back in the new year. Rosicky is surely on his way out of the emirates, due to his age and yearning for first team football. The Czech legend will probably look elsewhere for pastures anew. As for Jack it is time that he stayed on the pitch for an extended period of time. If he can’t stay healthy in 2016 I wonder if Wenger will begin listening to offers for the English international more intently.

Let’s begin the countdown at number five.

Next: Number 5