Arsenal's Latest Injury Crisis Suggests Old Problems Still Remain

In the summer of 2014, Arsenal acquired a string of first-team players. The likes of Alexis Sanchez, Danny Welbeck and Calum Chambers were all recruited for significant fees as Arsene Wenger sought to overhaul his squad. However, the signing some felt might be most crucial did not take place on the playing staff. Wenger swooped to secure the signature of American Shad Forsythe, who was appointed as the new head of athletic performance enhancement.

A strength and conditioning specialist with experience of working with US Olympic and German national football teams, it was hoped that Forsythe could help eliminate the injury problems that had plagued Arsenal for years. His first season suggested there had been some marginal progress on that front. However, thus far 2015/16 has looked like a regression.

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Currently, Arsenal sit joint top of the Premier League’s injury table, per physioroom.com. Eight senior players are currently sidelined, with none expected back before the end of the international break in mid-November. The latest two players to hit the treatment room are Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, both of whom suffered muscular injuries in the Capital One Cup defeat at Sheffield Wednesday.

When asked about the recent spate of problems in his most recent press conference, Arsene Wenger was dismissive of the issue. Quizzed as to why the injuries happen he said, per Arsenal.com:

"

That is always a question we have to answer when we have injuries. We have to analyse every single case and every single exercise and I think you have to not over-analyse when players are injured. When a player is injured, they are injured, this has always happened. We have not too many muscular injuries but it is post-international games when we get all these injuries so is it linked with that? I don’t know.

"

Perhaps his stance is merely a public strategy to deflect away from Arsenal’s problems, for it seems that in this case over-analysis is exactly what is required. Arsenal clearly have a fundamental problem—they pick up injuries with unerring regularity, particularly at this time of year.

It’s possible that Arsenal simply have a crop of injury-prone players. Forsythe’s arrival might improve things somewhat, but he can’t erase problems that have historically plagued certain players. Take Mikel Arteta’s persistent calf problems, or Jack Wilshere’s infamous ankle trouble: Forsythe can help manage them, but he can’t undo the damage that has already been done. Years of bad habits may ultimately prove irreversible.

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Equally, perhaps it is not easy to implement new methods into a coaching staff and setup that has remained in place for two decades. Wenger still calls the shots at Arsenal, and a new arrival like Forsythe may struggle for the autonomy to enact his philosophy.

Whatever’s going on, Arsenal have ended up in yet another injury crisis. The long-term losses of Danny Welbeck and Jack Wilshere was a blow, but that’s been compounded by a domino effect of muscle problems. On Saturday, Wenger seems set to line up with Joel Campbell on the right-hand side of attack, despite the Costa Rican effectively being sixth choice in that particular position.

The timing could not be worse. After their game against Swansea, Arsenal face Bayern Munich and north London neighbours Tottenham. After that comes the international break. Wenger must hope that brief interlude will give his ailing squad time to recuperate for the challenges ahead.

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and is following the club from a London base throughout 2015/16. Follow him on Twitter here.