Post by Salem6 on Nov 7, 2003 18:24:11 GMT
By Richard Clarke
Arsène Wenger has ruled out defender Martin Keown until December.
It is the second senior player sidelined until the final month of the year. Earlier this week, Wenger said a combination of a thigh injury and a one-game suspension would keep captain Patrick Vieira out until at least the Carling Cup with Wolves on December 2.
The same thing is going to happen to Keown. The calf problem he collected in the warm-up at Liverpool is likely to keep him out for a few weeks more then his three-game suspension from the match at Old Trafford.
"Martin will not be ready before November 17," said Wenger today. "Then he'll have three games [suspended] after that. That makes it December."
The manager confirmed that Vieira will definitely be out of the now all-important game at Inter on November 25. He also believes Dennis Bergkamp is unlikely to be there.
"I have accepted now that it is too difficult to travel Saturday to Tuesday," Wenger said. "Speaking spontaneously, I have a big doubt that he'll make it."
Elsewhere, Jeremie Aliadiere will not be involved in tomorrow's game with Tottenham after picking up a groin injury while Stuart Taylor has been allowed to have a break while his on-going shoulder problem clears up.
"I have just sent him on two weeks holiday because he cannot do anything," said Wenger. "It just shows I am not a bad boss to work for!"
Arsène Wenger has ruled out defender Martin Keown until December.
It is the second senior player sidelined until the final month of the year. Earlier this week, Wenger said a combination of a thigh injury and a one-game suspension would keep captain Patrick Vieira out until at least the Carling Cup with Wolves on December 2.
The same thing is going to happen to Keown. The calf problem he collected in the warm-up at Liverpool is likely to keep him out for a few weeks more then his three-game suspension from the match at Old Trafford.
"Martin will not be ready before November 17," said Wenger today. "Then he'll have three games [suspended] after that. That makes it December."
The manager confirmed that Vieira will definitely be out of the now all-important game at Inter on November 25. He also believes Dennis Bergkamp is unlikely to be there.
"I have accepted now that it is too difficult to travel Saturday to Tuesday," Wenger said. "Speaking spontaneously, I have a big doubt that he'll make it."
Elsewhere, Jeremie Aliadiere will not be involved in tomorrow's game with Tottenham after picking up a groin injury while Stuart Taylor has been allowed to have a break while his on-going shoulder problem clears up.
"I have just sent him on two weeks holiday because he cannot do anything," said Wenger. "It just shows I am not a bad boss to work for!"
