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Arsenal boss confirms ‘very bad day’ after duo pick up injuries + Sokratis update

By on October 23, 2018

sokratis arsenal 2018

Unai Emery has confirmed Nacho Monreal and Sead Kolasinac picked up injuries over the weekend but Sokratis could return for Arsenal’s Europa League trip to Sporting Lisbon.

Stephan Lichtsteiner was deployed at left-back during our impressive 3-1 comeback victory over Leicester City on Monday night after Monreal and Kolasinac were both ruled out of the game.

The duo sustained hamstring problems in training on Sunday and they were declared unfit for selection against the Foxes so Lichtsteiner was forced to play out of position with youngster Zech Medley drafted in to the squad.

Speaking after the win, Emery confirmed that Sunday was a ‘very bad day’ after Monreal and Kolasinac picked up injuries and he’s suggested they won’t be ready to return against Lisbon on Thursday night.

However, the boss is hopeful neither injury is anything too serious so hopefully we’ll have our left-backs available for the Premier League clash with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday afternoon.

Sokratis missed the Leicester game on Monday due to an ankle injury that he sustained while on international duty. The centre-back returned to training on Sunday and Emery has hinted the Greek international could be available for the Europa League game later this week.

Emery is quoted as saying by Arsenal.com:

“Yesterday was a very bad day for injuries. We had two in the same position. Monreal and Kolasinac came to training with a small problem, but we did group work today with both.

“This morning the news was that they weren’t OK to play. Xhaka played 30 minutes at left back, but for us, for our balance, it’s better for Nacho or Sead to be OK to play in that position. We are going to look at how they are for the next matches, but I hope they are nearly ready to play, maybe not for Thursday, but I hope near.

“Sokratis was training yesterday and maybe he can be back on Thursday. Now with a lot of matches in a few days, it’s very important for our situation that our preparation is good and it’s very important to give our players time to rest.”

It was hugely unfortunate to lose both our left-backs on the same day and it looks like Lichtsteiner will have to fill-in again on Thursday night but fingers crossed at least one of Monreal or Kolasinac is back to face Palace.