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Bellerin backs youngsters to plug Arsenal injury holes

There are also concerns long-term for Arsenal’s title hopes if the hamstring injury he picked up is quite serious as he could leave him out until the New Year.

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“I would have rested Sanchez, but he said to me before the game he was fine to play”, he said. It is a nightmare how we played the first two games.

Jack Wilshere, Danny Welbeck, Tomas Rosicky and Kieran Gibbs are the other players who are missing from the squad, with the former three having not played a single minute of the campaign thus far.

Henry does his best to defend Wenger in his comments to Sky Sports, but it is clear that he believes the Arsenal boss should have taken Sanchez out of the firing line.

Arsenal now face a tense wait to discover the extent of the injuries suffered by Koscienly, Sanchez and Cazorla at the weekend as they head into the busy festive period of fixtures which can often make or break a season.

“I must say with all humility we are not in a position to predict [injuries]. It’s not enough, but at least we have an opportunity to get back”.

Despite Alexis’desire to keep playing every game, his run may be at an end and it may be time for Wenger to consider resting the Chilean winger more often.

“No, the players are there to play football, not to be rested when the press decides when they need to be rested”, he replied when asked if he regretted playing Sanchez.

“I can feel for Arsene in a way”, Henry said.

“Cazorla played on one leg and of course we played Kosicelny at the start of the game so it was, I would say, a fair point for Norwich and it was on the injury front a bad afternoon for us”.

Arsenal are nearly certain to be without both Alexis Sanchez and Santi Cazorla for their decisive Champions League group match against Olympiakos in Athens next Wednesday.

“I take information, especially from the medical people who know him and treat him everyday and after, we look at his overall recovery as well”, Wenger said.

“I would have rested him today, but he felt perfectly alright before the game. We have to assess all of that”.

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Ramsey told Arsenal Player: “It was good to be back out here and to get some minutes under my belt”.

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