Injured French trio will not return at Bolton

Bolton Wanderers v Arsenal

Barclays Premier League

Saturday, September 20, 2008, 17:30


Arsenal's injured trio of Frenchman will NOT be fit to return against Bolton this weekend.

Samir Nasri picked up a knee injury on international duty earlier this month while Abou Diaby (thigh) has not featured since the Emirates Cup. Mikael Silvestre (muscular problem) has yet to make his Arsenal debut and all three players will have to wait a little longer for first-team action.

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On a brighter note, Arsène Wenger reported no new injuries when he spoke to Arsenal TV Online on Thursday afternoon.

"The good news from last night is that nobody has come back with any knock or severe injury," said Wenger. "We have no injuries from last night and we have no-one coming back as well, so the group will be stable.

"For Diaby, I would say two more weeks [until he is fit], Silvestre and Nasri should be available for Hull [at Emirates Stadium on September 27]."

Arsenal's visit to the Reebok Stadium will be their third away trip in eight days after the 4-0 win at Blackburn and the 1-1 draw at Dynamo Kyiv. Wenger is likely to give some of his players a breather.

"There will be a little bit of rotation of course, because it was a very physical game and we had to give absolutely everything. But I cannot tell you yet how it will work," he said.

Subscribers can see the full interview with Wenger on Arsenal TV Online from Friday morning. The manager discusses: his mixed feelings over Kyiv, why he changed his formation, Brazilian midfielder Mineiro, that incredible comeback at Bolton last season, why Gary Megson deserves credit, the departures of Anelka and Diouf, the chance to open up a lead on Manchester United and the Club’s financial state.