Arsenal FC: Injury-Riddled Gunners Deep Enough To Defeat Bolton at The Emirates

Fresh off of the first round of qualifying matches for Euro 2012, the English Premiership 2010-11 season can finally resume. Just as things were getting underway across England, the seemingly ill-timed qualifiers materialized, forcing an unwanted international break upon supporters and clubs alike.

For Arsenal supporters, the dreaded international breaks always represent the next opportunity to lose crucial players to injury. Of course, injuries are clearly not exclusive to the Gunners, but as any fan will likely attest, we've certainly had more than our fair share over the last several seasons.

During the early days of the 2010-11 campaign, Arsenal have had their ups and downs, but are certainly satisfied to be sitting in second place in the table, with seven points out of a possible nine. Due to some good fortune and an uncharacteristic error by Pepe Reina, they were even able to steal a much-needed point from a lackluster performance at Anfield to open the schedule.

The ever-present injury concerns have again been an issue, but the future looked bright, as Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie were on their way back to match fitness after a lengthy run of play deep into the World Cup Final. Theo Walcott was suddenly looking like a star, possibly on his way to finally fulfilling the massive potential that many have long predicted for the young forward. Even Tomas Rosicky featured in all three of Arsenal's games, providing glimpses of the dynamic player that Arsene Wenger signed from Borussia Dortmund prior to the 2006 World Cup and before injuries derailed much of his Arsenal career.

Sure, Samir Nasri picked up a meniscus tear, requiring minor surgery after the opener against Liverpool, and Nicklas Bendtner has yet to feature, due to aggravation of his groin injury that plagued him for parts of last season, as well as during the World Cup. Even fears over these two important absences were subdued however, as Wenger reported that both players shall return shortly. The summer arrival of Marouane Chamakh helped to allay those concerns further, thanks to his admirable performances with Wenger's men thus far.

Then reality hit. Again.

Likely our most dynamic offensive threat, the chronically injured Robin van Persie suffered an ankle injury against Blackburn, which was first reported to sideline him for only 10 days. Following Arsenal throughout the years though, one knows that an injury to RvP is highly unlikely to span just 10 days. The proper diagnosis has now revealed a more serious injury to his ankle, one which is now reported to keep van Persie out of action until mid-October. Not to worry, as Theo Walcott has displayed blistering form throughout the first three games, notching a brilliant four goals during that stretch, leading many to surmise that his time has arrived.

Back to the beloved international break. After being left out of Fabio Capello's English squad for the World Cup in South Africa, Theo returned to Premier League football with a vengeance, eager to prove his doubters wrong and to highlight the mistake of omitting him from the Three Lions' team. A few weeks of scintillating football with Arsenal later, and he had proven his point, working his way into a starting role for England's qualifier against Switzerland. Great news for Theo, terrible news for Arsenal.

Only 13 minutes into the match, Walcott was involved in an awkward collision with Switzerland's Steve von Bergen, sending him to the hospital just as Wayne Rooney was reveling in the glory of his goal. The initial reports stated that Walcott would be out a possible two weeks, but upon further review, that estimate has now been increased to four-to-six weeks.

The fact that van Persie, Walcott, and Bendtner are injured should come as no surprise, as that trio has not thus far proven to be the most durable group of forwards in England. Usually, they're not all injured simultaneously, but the facts are the facts, and deal with it Arsenal must.

Of course, in a sport as physically demanding as top-flight English football, injuries come with the territory. There is not a team in existence that has not suffered through the dilemma of injuries to key players over the course of their season.

This is not simply another in a long line of self-pitying Arsenal supporters' complaints about injury and bemoaning the unjust nature of the international breaks.

Rather, it is a call to arms for those players still healthy enough to participate; those Gunners who are fit and able to make a stand at the Emirates on Saturday, to not give in to the excuse of injury, and to deliver a striking performance against a resolute Bolton side, who themselves are currently nipping at the heals of the top four in the Barclay's Premiership.

Despite the latest round of absurdly predictable injuries to key Arsenal players, there is still abundant quality in the side, capable of filling the boots of the afflicted. I'm not referring to fringe players who may step into the squad to fill a void left by an injured regular, but rather, those that are experienced members of the team who must now find it within themselves to step up their games in a time of need.

Cesc Fabregas

The potential Barcelona transfer saga has been beaten to death, so I'd rather merely touch upon it and move on.

Just as Arsenal had apparently shut the door on the summer of rumor and innuendo, and were comfortable that their captain was to remain in London for at least the 2010-11 season, along came the recent international break, and another opportunity for Cesc to spend time with his former Barca mates.

Now of course, the transfer window is closed until January, so we know he will be staying for now, and very likely through the end of this season. However, Arsenal's staff and supporters certainly do not relish the prospect of the further unsettling of the young Catalan by his Spanish compatriots as the Gunners embark upon a crucial, match-loaded stretch of the schedule.

Cesc has always been viewed by the Arsenal faithful, his teammates, and Arsene Wenger as a young player of the highest caliber, both in footballing talent as well as character. There has never been a doubt over his effort or commitment to the Arsenal cause.

However, considering the constant barrage of questions regarding his future, there remains the lingering concern that his heart and mind may already reside with his fellow Barca academy mates at Camp Nou.

A string of spirited performances running the Arsenal offense, this weekend at home against Bolton, as well as next week against Braga in the Champions League, would go far to allay the fears of Arsenal supporters worldwide.

We have yet to witness Cesc in top form this season, but that is understandable, as his late start to preseason training due to the World Cup has prevented him from yet reaching full match fitness. It should also be remembered that he finished off last season by breaking his leg against Barca in the Champions League quarterfinals.

The time is now though, for Cesc to set aside any potential dreams of returning to his Catalan roots and once again claim his role as Arsenal's talisman. For all we know, it may be a limited engagement, but the team needs his virtuosic offensive skills and leadership if they truly hope to challenge England's, as well as continental Europe's, best football clubs.

Andrei Arshavin

The diminutive Russian has been somewhat of an enigma in his short career with the Gunners.

Upon arrival from the only club he ever played for, Zenit St. Petersburg, during the January 2009 transfer window, Arshavin made an almost immediate impact. The flair, creativity, and brilliant skill that Arsene Wenger coveted after watching Arshavin's blistering performance in Euro 2008 fit in perfectly with his Arsenal squad.

His masterful, four-goal performance at Anfield in April of 2009, confirmed his status as an elite offensive threat and proved to the footballing world why Wenger had so relentlessly pursued him.

A mostly successful, if somewhat uneven 2009-10 season followed, with several brilliant displays of football, peppered with matches in which he seemed lost on the pitch. Of course, that happens to even the most elite footballers, so the phenomenon is not unique to Andrei. That said, it seemed to happen a few times too many, considering his level of talent. To his credit, he has himself noticed his occasional lapses in form and aims to correct that flaw this season.

To be fair, Arshavin has not played badly in his three matches thus far, but the quality of his play has varied too frequently for a player of his caliber. He did apply a fine finishing touch for the game-winner at Ewood Park two weeks ago, so hopefully that serves as some indication of what to expect going forward.

It's possible that missing the World Cup in South Africa with the Russian team that he captains may provide additional incentive to re-discover the form that served to introduce him to the world's footballing audience.

Arsenal would certainly benefit in the absence of some of their other most potent offensive threats if Andrei Arshavin can elevate his game to its potential level, tormenting defenders down the left flank and providing a sharp-shooting option in front of goal.

Marouane Chamakh

Clearly, there has been nothing wrong with the early performances of the summer arrival from Bordeaux, Marouane Chamakh.

He has done everything that Arsene Wenger envisioned when acquiring the Moroccan-French forward on a free transfer following the 2009-10 season. Providing a strong aerial presence that Arsenal often lack, he displays a potent combination of strength, quickness, and skill that could help make him a prime asset in the physically demanding Premier League.

With RvP and Bendtner out of action for the near future, there exists an opportunity for Chamakh to make himself indispensable to Wenger's squad.

If he's able to forge a dynamic partnership with Arshavin and Fabregas, it will be difficult to leave him on the bench once the more familiar Gunners return from the infirmary. Given Wenger's affection for Bendtner, it may prove beneficial for Chamakh to make a strong impression now, while the perpetually self-assured Dane is convalescing.

Over the course of the next several weeks, Marouane Chamakh will likely be afforded every opportunity to cement his place amongst the Arsenal regulars, as well as in the hearts of Gooners everywhere.

In consideration of the all-too familiar injury plague at Ashburton Grove, it occasionally becomes easy to lower one's expectations, thinking, "Uh oh, here we go again." One could be forgiven for letting such defeatist thoughts creep into his mind, but really there is no need to head down that road quite yet.

Of course, the injury concerns could continue to build, and with Arsenal's recently ever-present question of squad depth, we could be soon singing the same old song.

For now though, the Gunners sit in second place, have looked good in two of the three matches, and despite fitness issues, still possess a squad loaded with quality. Let's look forward to this weekend's match with Bolton and look to the talented players who remain to continue the season's unbeaten start and deliver a decisive victory at the Emirates.