Arsenal round-up: Midfielder out for season; Koscielny on mentality problem; Oxlade-Chamberlain issues rallying cry

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Arsenal have been dealt an injury blow as it was confirmed that Santi Cazorla will miss the rest of the season. He has been suffering from an ankle injury since October after coming off against Ludogorets. There had been hope that he would return before May, but he is now focusing on being fit for next season. Although this is a disappointment, they have been without him for a while and it won’t change too much on the pitch. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has impressed in a central role in recent weeks and he could be a good option to deputise there until the summer.

There are several problems for Arsenal to address in the summer, but finding a capable replacement for Cazorla needs to be near the top of that list. He has suffered from various injuries during the last 18 months and he can no longer be relied upon as a regular first team starter. Arsene Wenger’s system is reliant on having a creative midfielder and they don’t currently have suitable cover for the Spaniard. They have clearly missed him and now that he is 32-years-old, they can’t afford to have a similar dependence on him next season.

There has been a lot of talk lack of fight within the Arsenal squad and Laurent Koscielny has suggested that there could be something in those claims. He has told RMC Sport that there are is a mentality problem at the club and that needs to be corrected if they are to challenge for major honours.

“It is a mental problem. We have the technical and physical qualities.

“We must put in the effort for the whole match. Against the big teams, it takes more than talent. It takes more commitment. We are in a complicated situation, [but] we must remain united. We must have the hatred of losing.”

It is quickly becoming a lazy punditry line to question the mental strength of the Arsenal players, rather than focus on the tactical shortfalls, but these comments from the French defender suggests that the players are beginning to believe it. This is a concern as there are doubts starting to creep into the minds of the players and these will become an issue if they fall behind in matches. Wenger must quickly address this before the players become paralysed with fear on the field.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been one of the better players in recent weeks and he has a big part to play as Arsenal attempt to finish in the top four. His performances in the middle of the park suggest that he could be the answer to their central midfield woes. They have struggled in the transition phase since the injury to Santi Cazorla, but the Englishman could be the one to correct that. He has been talking to the official site and stated that everybody at the club must stick together.

“We want to be able to respond for the fans. They want to win as much as we do. We’re all in this together and we all want the same thing, so we’ve all got to stand up and be counted.”

Although it is admirable for the midfielder to issue such a battling cry, it is unlikely to have much of an effect on the fanbase. There has been little progress made in terms of achievement in recent years and the supporters are beginning to grow restless. The best possible result for the Gunners this season is to finish in the top four and win the FA Cup. Despite this being good enough for most clubs, it has become par for the course at Arsenal and they need to start showing more.

Featured image: All rights reserved by Emrah Partal