Arsenal Hit by Triple Injury Blow

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has been hit by the news that Freddie Ljungberg, Emmanuel Eboue and Julio Baptista are all facing spells out through injury.

"Freddie has a calf injury, Emmanuel will miss three to four weeks with a medial knee ligaments injury and Julio has a hamstring problem," said Wenger. "Unfortunately when you have so many players away on international duty you can have some bad news."

However William Gallas is set to be fit for Saturday's game against Watford. Wenger also had some positive news on the progress of Philippe Senderos and Gael Clichy, who have yet to figure in the first-team this season.

"They are making good progress, but I do not know when they will be in the team," added the Frenchman. "They could be in the squad for one of the next two games - but they are still a little bit short of match fitness really."

[Source from; news.bbc.co.uk]

Wenger Hits Out at Coaches

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has compared international managers to joy-riding car thieves. Wenger has often expressed his frustration at seeing his players return tired or injured after international duty.

"Gerard (Houllier's) thoughts on the matter echo mine," Wenger said. "He thinks that what the national coaches are doing is like taking the car from his garage without even asking permission. "They will then use the car for 10 days and abandon it in a field without any petrol left in the tank.

"We then have to recover it, but it is broken down. Then a month later they will come to take your car again, and for good measure you're expected to be nice about it."

Wenger also complained that international managers fail to contact their club counterparts, with one notable exception. "Sven-Goran Eriksson was the only one who used to come and talk to me regularly," Wenger added.

[Source from; football365.com]

Arsenal Club wait on Ljungberg Injury

Arsenal midfield player Freddie Ljungberg will have tests on Monday to determine the extent of the calf injury he picked up during Sweden's 2-0 win over Spain.

Sweden skipper Ljungberg, 29, was forced off in the second half of his side's UEFA Euro 2008 qualifier on Saturday.

He is "highly doubtful" to face Iceland on Wednesday, according to a statement from the Swedish Football Association.

If the tests show Ljungberg cannot play, he will return to England to be treated by Arsenal's medical team.

The Gunners Club will be hoping he recovers in time to feature in their next Premiership game, which is against Watford at home on Saturday.

[Source from; news.bbc.co.uk]