More Bad News

Justin-the-Gooner · Post by **Justin-the-Gooner** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 1:27 am

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.j ... afr126.xml

Kolo toure, the Arsenal central defender, was carried off on a stretcher shortly before half-time in Ivory Coast's Africa Cup of Nations group match against Benin and could miss the rest of the tournament.

He had just set up his team's second goal - for his brother, Yaya - in a comprehensive 4-1 win when he collapsed after stretching in an attempt to cut out a deflected cross. Clearly in distress and clutching his groin, Toure was helped on to a stretcher.
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Later, plainly in discomfort, he hobbled out of the stadium supported by an Ivorian Football Federation official and with his thigh swaddled in ice and bandages. He was expected to undergo scans last night, and a fuller diagnosis should be available today.

"We don't know how bad it is," said Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, who scored Ivory Coast's opening goal. "We're worried, but we're keeping our fingers crossed."

"It has been a very good day for us, apart from Kolo's injury," Ivory Coast coach Gerard Gili said. "I'm concerned about him because he has injured his groin. I don't know how long he'll be out. He first has to take some tests."

If the injury is as serious as feared, it is more bad news not only for Ivory Coast, but also for Arsenal, whose defensive resources are already severely stretched.

Toure had been in fine form for the pre-tournament favourites. After beating Nigeria 1-0 on Monday, they all but assured themselves of a place in the quarter-finals as Kader Keita and Dindane scored in the second half. Razak Omatoyossi headed a consolation goal for Benin.

Red Gunner · Post by **Red Gunner** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 2:29 am

If Toure is out for a long time, we'll only have one credible centre-defender that can play against the top sides. The two "Swiss Cheeses" aren't good enough, that tramp we call Song isn't, Hoyte is a right-back and Gilberto shouldn't play there at all. I hope he isn't out for a long time, otherwise we'll struggle against top strikers, Gallas can't cope on his own.

By the way, there is already a thread on it:

http://www.onlinegooner.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=4045

RaM · Post by **RaM** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 2:52 am

Its bad news...maybe this will make Wenger dip into the transfer market?

Or maybe Havard Nordtveit, fresh from a 3 month injury, will come into the first team...

Red Gunner · Post by **Red Gunner** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 2:58 am

RaM wrote:Its bad news...maybe this will make Wenger dip into the transfer market?

Or maybe Havard Nordtveit, fresh from a 3 month injury, will come into the first team...

I am sure he won't, he's already said that he won't be buying. As for Havard Nordtveit, I am sure we won't be seeing him until next season; he is too young for Premiership and Champions League. Arsene Wenger will keep faith with the current ones we have, hopefully Toure and Gallas will be fit for the whole season so "Swiss Cheeses" don't get a look-in.

RaM · Post by **RaM** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 3:25 am

He said that before Toure was injured though. And groin injuries are usually quite difficult to get over. (I hope Toure's isn't a bad one though.)

But would anyone on this forum honestly be comfortable if (worst case scenario) Toure faces a long time on the sidelines and we get into important CL matches with Senderos and Gallas as our first choice CBs? And then what about the chance of suspensions? Senderos/Djourou? Gallas/Djouruou?

Magic Hat · Post by **Magic Hat** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 11:40 am

Would Man U be comfortable with Vidic and Pique against Ac Milan? Or Chelsea with Terry and Alex? Injuries happen, the loss of Toure is a blow as is any player getting injured but we will have to cope with it, Song and the Swiss lads are good back up if not of the exact quality of Toure, my worry is for Toure's recovery in the long term.

Number 5 · Post by **Number 5** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 11:52 am

I'm fairly sure that we made it all the way to the Champions League final not so long ago with Kolo and Phil at centre back, flamini at left back, and eboue at right back, setting the record for clean sheets along the way. Or was that just my imagination? Come on guys all this doom and gloom is bad for your hearts, I know it's January, officially the most depressing month of the year, but we ain't out of nothing yet. We've as good a chance as anyone. Let's get behind the boys!

Magic Hat · Post by **Magic Hat** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 12:18 pm

We are out of the League Cup so technically, we are out of something

Galasso · Post by **Galasso** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 12:18 pm

Magic Hat wrote:Would Man U be comfortable with Vidic and Pique against Ac Milan? Or Chelsea with Terry and Alex? Injuries happen, the loss of Toure is a blow as is any player getting injured but we will have to cope with it, Song and the Swiss lads are good back up if not of the exact quality of Toure, my worry is for Toure's recovery in the long term.

The problem is that you have not factored the injury record of Gallas at Arsenal in to the equation.

Of course anyone can get injured at any time, but when we are thin on the ground in one area (Song? A convert to centre back because he wasn't good enough in midfield), then we can look at Gallas' record and Toure's injury and be worried.

And I hear that after Kolo's injury, RvP will be out for another 6 weeks

Magic Hat · Post by **Magic Hat** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 1:16 pm

I'm more concerned about midfield cover then I am defence. Gallas does have some troubles (though is it just me or does it always seem to be early in the season?) so yes, it is a risk. Song makes a solid 5th choice cb, yes he is converted from midfield but sometimes a manager is able to spot a better position so moves them.

Galasso · Post by **Galasso** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 1:36 pm

After Arsene Wenger said that people would be proved wrong about Song (before his centre-back reinvention), I don't know what to say. I judged him as crap on his performances in midfield and now he's a centre back!

I think Alex Song looks every inch an Arsenal player and I really want him to stay. In fact, the more first team football he gets, the closer we will be to League and Cup glory.

JakeN13 · Post by **JakeN13** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 9:24 pm

Don't wanna sound horrible but would be perfect for us if Toure has an injury that keeps him a out for say 3 or 4 weeks & comes back to England fully fit! As for Eboue...hope he has a great ANC and somebody gives Wenger an offer he can't refuse!

Red Gunner · Post by **Red Gunner** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 5:26 pm

Looks like everything is alright, Toure is set to be back for the next game. I am quite sure that they aren't risking him because they already qualified; if it'd be the final then they would risk him but it is only the 3rd group-stage game.

Fears over Kolo Toure's groin injury have been eased, with the defender expected to feature against Mali.

Toure picked up the problem during the Ivory Coast's 4-1 victory over Benin on Friday.

The Arsenal centre-back was stretchered off and there were concerns that he might be facing a long spell on the sidelines.

However, general secretary of the Federation Ivoirienne de Football Ouattara Hego is sure Toure will be fit for the final Group B match on Tuesday.

"His injury is not important. When he first came off it looked bad but now he is okay and recovering," Hego said.

"We think he will be fit for the next game on Tuesday."

Toure is due to have a scan in the next 48 hours to confirm the extent of the problem.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528, ... 17,00.html

burns718 · Post by **burns718** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 6:04 pm

is that one of those, yea he'll be fit for us but were gona fuck him right up for arsenal, yea he's alrights