Arsenal dealt fresh injury blow + two other players doubtful for Valencia clash

By mac14 on April 29, 2019

Arsenal have suffered another injury blow as Denis Suarez has been ruled out for the rest of the season while Mesut Ozil and Nacho Monreal are doubtful to face Valencia.

Suarez was looking for a fresh start when he joined Arsenal on an initial six-month loan deal from Barcelona during the January window after failing to hold down a regular place at the Nou Camp since joining the club from Villarreal in 2016.

However, his time in north London hasn’t gone according to plan as the attacking midfielder has struggled to make an impact and he’s not featured since our Europa League clash with BATE Borisov in February due to a groin injury.

There were hopes the 25-year-old would return to play some part in Arsenal’s run-in, however, Suarez confirmed on Twitter this afternoon that’s he’s been ruled out for the rest of the season following consultation with doctors.

The Spaniard’s statement said:

Suarez will now return to Barcelona having failed to make a single start for Arsenal and played just 95 minutes of football during his six substitute appearances so it’s fair to say his loan has been an absolute disaster.

His absence leaves us with one less option in attack and it seems Mesut Ozil also remains a doubt for Arsenal’s Europa League semi-final first leg against Valencia on Thursday night.

The German playmaker missed Sunday’s embarrassing defeat at Leicester City with a foot injury and Unai Emery confirmed after the game that Ozil was a doubt to take on Valencia later this week.

The Gunners boss says Ozil will be assessed over the coming days before a final decision is made over his availability for the crucial Europa League semi-final.

Emery is quoted as saying on Sunday, according to Football London:

“He [Ozil] can’t play today. We are going to wait for tomorrow [Monday] and for Tuesday [to see if he can play against Valencia.]”

Nacho Monreal is also a doubt for the Valencia game after missing the defeat at Leicester with a calf problem while Aaron Ramsey is also expected to remain on the sidelines with a hamstring complaint so the injuries are piling up at just the wrong time for Arsenal.

With Danny Welbeck, Hector Bellerin and Rob Holding also out, Emery has been forced to call-up the youngsters with Eddie Nketiah and Joe Willock named on the bench against Leicester on Sunday.