No Cazorla but Wenger will not panic buy

Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud is a doubt for the English Premier League clash at West Ham United today owing to a hamstring problem suffered in last week's 3-1 win over Bournemouth.
Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud is a doubt for the English Premier League clash at West Ham United today owing to a hamstring problem suffered in last week's 3-1 win over Bournemouth. PHOTO: REUTERS

LONDON • Arsene Wenger will not seek reinforcements in next month's transfer window, even after Santi Cazorla was ruled out for three months with an ankle problem, as he is unlikely to find anyone of the Spaniard's calibre.

The playmaker, who has scored two goals in 11 matches in all competitions this season, last featured in Arsenal's Champions League win over Ludogorets in October and was initially expected to make his return from injury last month.

"In midfield we have many players, but there are two reasons (for not buying a replacement). We have the numbers in quality. Secondly, in January, you wouldn't necessarily find a Cazorla even if you wanted to," Wenger said.

The 31-year-old's incisive passing was sorely missed in last month's draws with Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur and his injury remains a major blow to Arsenal's Premier League title aspirations.

Cazorla, who is set to undergo surgery next week, faced a similar situation with a knee injury last season when he was expected to return within 12 weeks but instead spent six months on the sidelines.

With Carl Jenkinson failing to impress and first-choice Hector Bellerin out with injury, the right-back position is turning out to be another problem for Wenger as Mathieu Debuchy is set for a six-week spell on the sidelines.

Arsenal travel to the London Stadium today to face West Ham with doubts over Olivier Giroud and Mohamed Elneny too.

Still, Wenger is confident his team will get back on track after their surprise 2-0 League Cup quarter-final defeat by Southampton at home on Tuesday.

"(West Ham) had a difficult start to the season but recently they played well against Tottenham and Manchester United," he said.

"They are difficult fixtures so overall it will be a very tight and intense game."

Their hosts West Ham also have injury problems with Andy Carroll missing since August with a knee injury and fellow forward Diafra Sakho ruled out for six weeks by a hamstring problem.

REUTERS, THE GUARDIAN, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on December 03, 2016, with the headline No Cazorla but Wenger will not panic buy. Subscribe