Wednesday 8 February 2017

Hector Bellerin is expected to miss game against Hull on Saturday


Hector Bellerin is set to miss the Gunners’ Premier League fixture against Hull City on Saturday, after suffering concussion in the 3-1 defeat to Chelsea.

The Spaniard was forced off after being caught with an elbow by Marcos Alonso in the incident which led to Chelsea’s opening goal.  
The 21-year-old has yet to rejoin full training with the rest of his teammates, as the club await the results of the MRI scan which was carried out at the weekend. 

However, even if the MRI scans give Bellerin the all-clear, Arsenal are unlikely to field him against Marco Silva’s side on Saturday, according to Football.London.

FA guidelines on treatment of players who have suffered such injuries state that no player who’s been cared for in an “enhanced care setting” should return to training for at least six days prior to the original incident.

Gabriel replaced Bellerin at Stamford Bridge, but Wenger could opt to field Carl Jenkinson against Hull after the Englishman was given a run-out at Everton on Monday night for Arsenal’s U23 side. 

Bellerin is expected to return to action in time for Arsenal’s Champions League knockout tie against Bayern Munich on February 14th.

Thierry Henry still has a desire to 'one day' manage Arsenal


Thierry Henry has reiterated his desire to one day manage Arsenal but accepts he is "far" from landing the job.

The club's all-time top scorer was set to to coach the Gunners' Under-18 this season, but rejected the offer after Arsene Wenger asked him to also step down from his punditry role with Sky Sports.

Henry was then appointed as part of Roberto Martinez's new-look coaching setup with the Belgium national team as he continues to gain experience within a backroom staff, but conceded he still thinks about stepping into the hotseat at the Emirates Stadium.

"I'm living my dream from day to day," Henry told RMC.

"The first time I scored a goal, it was like 'Oh, I scored a goal!' I lived my dream. "I will not say no to coaching Arsenal one day. If I say no,I would be lying.

I have to respect that there are people who are in place there already. I have not done anything as a coach yet.


"What I feel for Arsenal is true and I have felt it for a long time. I'm not going to say it does not make me cold or hot. I think about it, but I'm far from it.

When pressed on coaching France, Henry replied: "Like everyone else! But I can not pretend to say 'I will be coaching here or there'. The craft is hard. Let me learn and we'll see later."

Martin Keown believes Arsene Wenger has already decided to stay


Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown has expressed his belief that Arsene Wenger has already made his mind up to stay at the club beyond the end of the season.

Speculation over Wenger's future has grown after back-to-back defeats left the Gunners 12 points adrift of Premier League leaders Chelsea, with the Frenchman's contract at the Emirates set to expire this summer.

However, Keown argued that Wenger's 20 years in charge should give him the right to decide when he walks away, and the three-time Premier League-winning centre-back believes that he is not ready to call time on his Arsenal career just yet.

"The way that they are sort of losing their way now, the question comes again - does Arsene Wenger remain in the seat? Do they look to make a change?" he told BBC Radio 5 live.

"I just feel the way the club is so pragmatic in its decision making, I don't see Arsene leaving. Whether he should or shouldn't, I don't think it will happen.

He will decide when he leaves the club. I do feel that is the situation and I do feel he has earned the right, in the same way that Sir Alex Ferguson did at Manchester United, to choose when he goes.

"I feel deep down he has already made his mind up to stay. It is just the timing of that announcement. 

Results like against Chelsea make that difficult for him to do. He doesn't make spur of the moment decisions. 

He has to make the best decision for Arsenal and not just for himself."

Arsenal currently sit fourth in the table and look set to extend their wait for a Premier League title to 13 years this season