Constant injuries to a player will definitely take its toll on the player; a loss of form is inevitable. Many players have lost their dream or blistering career to injury.
The talent of a footballer notwithstanding, recurring injuries, especially lengthy ones could hamper the player’s progress, success, form, and consistency.
Moreover, injuries played a vital role in Arsenal campaign this season. The Gunners missed a golden opportunity to claim the Premier League, failing to capitalize on the poor performances of former champion Chelsea and the Manchester clubs; a loss too many for the fans to bear.
Tipped by many to win the Premier League title this season, The Gunners were top of the table in December but injuries to almost half of the squad at one part of the season or the other deny us the title.
Lengthy injuries were too many in the midst of the players for a larger part of the season and have done its worst before repair could be make. Jack Wilshere, Santi Cazorla and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have all been sidelined for a long period this season.
Speaking on the club’s injuries and title loss, the Gunners goalkeeper Petr Cech said:
“It was a very strange season in a way.” “If you look at the number of injuries we had, it is not a big number compared to previous years or compared to other clubs. It’s not a big difference but unfortunately for us, every time we’ve had an injury, it’s been long-term.”
“If you have so many important players out with long-term injuries, it does give a chance to everybody else, but it can hurt you at certain times. If you have seven games in 21 days and your opponent has had six days off to prepare, you don’t have the advantage of rotating players.”
“I thought we did so well most of the time to be able to cope with that, but unfortunately, in the end we lacked a bit of energy in February and March when we dropped points. This is where the difference was made.”
Wilshere only returned to action last month after ten months out due to leg injury, Cazorla sustained a hamstring injury in November and was just returning to fitness of Tomas Rosicky, Theo Walcott, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Chamberlain as sideline with his return date set at July as per the Physioroom and will miss the European Championship.
The latest injury casualty of the club is Danny Welbeck. The England international went back to the treatment room after just returning to action in February.
Sustaining a knee injury in the match against Manchester City last weekend will keep him on the sidelines for nine months and he will miss the European Championship in France this summer.
One would be astonishment how Arsenal season would have gone, had all these injuries been avoided. Other clubs do have injuries too but ours have always been on the longer side.
“I think it is high time something is done to avoid a recurrence of this next season.”
