Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger gestures during the Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium in London on on September 27, 2014. Ian Kington / AFP
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger gestures during the Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium in London on on September 27, 2014. Ian Kington / AFP
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger gestures during the Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium in London on on September 27, 2014. Ian Kington / AFP
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger gestures during the Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium in London on on September 27, 2014. Ian Kington / AFP

Arsenal injury glut weighs on Arsene Wenger’s mind


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Arsene Wenger is confident Arsenal can rekindle the art of winning after a series of frustrating Premier League draws, but their quest may be hindered by a “worrying” injury crisis.

Arsenal are unbeaten in six Premier League games this season but have won just twice, dropping a host of points from winning positions to leave them six behind leaders Chelsea.

Against north London rivals Tottenham on Saturday, Arsenal dominated possession but failed to break down the visitors’ stubborn and resolute rearguard.

Once again, they had to settle for a point after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain cancelled out Nacer Chadli’s opening goal.

“The positive is that we are unbeaten, but the negative is that we have missed four points from the quality of the games we have played,” Wenger said.

“We have to keep that unbeaten record, and I think at some stage we will win the games instead of drawing. Against Tottenham, we would have won had we not conceded the first goal.”

Wenger, though, must contend with an injury crisis that is threatening to disrupt his plans ahead of an important run of games.

Influential midfielders Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta limped off on Saturday and have been ruled out of Sunday’s trip to Chelsea and the crucial midweek Uefa Champions League clash with Galatasaray.

England midfielder Jack Wilshere is also a doubt after he injured his ankle in a challenge with Danny Rose.

“I don’t know how long they will be out, but they will be out next week. I think Ramsey is a hamstring [injury], and Arteta is a calf. Wilshere is an ankle,” Wenger said.

“Suddenly, we are short because we lost three players today and let’s not forget we had already two out on long-term [forward Olivier Giroud and defender Mathieu Debuchy] plus [Theo] Walcott, that’s six. [Abou] Diaby is not ready, seven. It starts to become a worry.”

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