Post by Taxigirl on Aug 6, 2005 8:35:14 GMT
skysports.planetfootball.com
by Ben Blackmore
Sol Campbell is fast becoming a major doubt not only for Arsenal, but also for England in their forthcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Campbell has definitely been ruled out of The Gunners' Community Shield match with Chelsea, and manager Arsene Wenger has hinted that the defender could be set to miss the opening month of the season.
Such a period on the sidelines would mean that Campbell will miss England's friendly against Denmark, and more importantly the two World Cup qualifiers against Wales and Northern Ireland.
The problem, according to Wenger, is that Campbell is 'not really injured, but not ready to play' and the Frenchman has put a two-to-three-week guideline on Campbell's return.
A rather despondent Wenger stated: "I'm confident that Sol Campbell will not have a season like he did last year, but nobody knows how many games he will play this season."
The news will be a blow to England coach Sven Goran Eriksson, who will feel enormous frustration over the continued absence of Campbell, despite England's central defensive depth.
Whilst replacement John Terry has enjoyed a marvellous year for Chelsea, it is no secret that Eriksson still prefers the centre pairing of Rio Ferdinand and Campbell.
Arsenal will once again be forced to go into a showcase game with Philippe Senderos and Kolo Toure at the heart of their defence, but it will be the league games against Newcastle and Chelsea (on August 21) that will cause more concern for Wenger.
Without Campbell and the recently-departed Patrick Vieira, Wenger's team is lacking experience through the spine - heightening the Frenchman's desperation to get World Cup winner Gilberto back fit again.
"Gilberto is okay but has not played one minute in a game yet so I don't know if he will play on Sunday," said Wenger.
by Ben Blackmore
Sol Campbell is fast becoming a major doubt not only for Arsenal, but also for England in their forthcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Campbell has definitely been ruled out of The Gunners' Community Shield match with Chelsea, and manager Arsene Wenger has hinted that the defender could be set to miss the opening month of the season.
Such a period on the sidelines would mean that Campbell will miss England's friendly against Denmark, and more importantly the two World Cup qualifiers against Wales and Northern Ireland.
The problem, according to Wenger, is that Campbell is 'not really injured, but not ready to play' and the Frenchman has put a two-to-three-week guideline on Campbell's return.
A rather despondent Wenger stated: "I'm confident that Sol Campbell will not have a season like he did last year, but nobody knows how many games he will play this season."
The news will be a blow to England coach Sven Goran Eriksson, who will feel enormous frustration over the continued absence of Campbell, despite England's central defensive depth.
Whilst replacement John Terry has enjoyed a marvellous year for Chelsea, it is no secret that Eriksson still prefers the centre pairing of Rio Ferdinand and Campbell.
Arsenal will once again be forced to go into a showcase game with Philippe Senderos and Kolo Toure at the heart of their defence, but it will be the league games against Newcastle and Chelsea (on August 21) that will cause more concern for Wenger.
Without Campbell and the recently-departed Patrick Vieira, Wenger's team is lacking experience through the spine - heightening the Frenchman's desperation to get World Cup winner Gilberto back fit again.
"Gilberto is okay but has not played one minute in a game yet so I don't know if he will play on Sunday," said Wenger.