Alex Song
Midfield quartet missing for Emirates Cup
- Bould and Banfield join first-team staff
- 'I know I have some big boots to fill’
- Banfield - New role is a dream come true
- ‘Steve and I share same coaching philosophy’
- Pictures of the Season 2011/12 - Part Four
- Top 20 Most Liked
By Chris Harris
Arsenal will be without four front-line midfielders for the Emirates Cup.
Cesc Fabregas has yet to return to training after winning the World Cup while Abou Diaby, Denilson and Alex Song are all carrying slight knocks.
The injured trio should all return for next weekend’s final pre-season friendly at Legia Warsaw while Fabregas and fellow World Cup finalist Robin van Persie will be back from holiday by then.
However Nicklas Bendtner’s groin problem will take weeks rather than days to mend.
“We have injuries and players who are not back yet from the World Cup,” said Wenger at his pre-tournament press conference on Friday.
“The injuries we have are not heavy ones. I believe Diaby, Song and Denilson will not be ready for Saturday’s game [against AC Milan] but they should be ready for next weekend.
"Bendtner is out anyway from the start of the season. We think [he will be back in] two to three weeks.”
[Friday, July 30, 2010]
