Arsene Wenger goes into Arsenal’s opening Champions League game against Borussia Dortmund tonight with an injury crisis in defence that might yet force him to improvise at right-back with either midfielder Mathieu Flamini or Spanish teenager Hector Bellerin.
The Arsenal manager revealed last night that Calum Chambers is “50-50” for the match having developed tonsillitis on Sunday. Nacho Monreal has been left behind with a minor back problem. Mathieu Debuchy was already facing a long lay-off following the ankle injury he sustained in the 2-2 draw with Manchester City on Saturday.
Wenger has brought 19 players to Dortmund in order to cover himself in the event that Chambers is unable to play. Bellerin has one senior appearance to his name so far; the 19-year-old Spain youth international came on as an substitute in the 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion in the League Cup last year.
The Arsenal manager is down to his last three fit senior defenders.
In addition he has left Yaya Sanogo in London, where the striker will recover from a hamstring issue.
Wenger denied the series of injuries to the squad, now without the departed Thomas Vermaelen, had left him stretched for resources, although he conceded that he could not afford any more.
Wenger said: “The Debuchy injury put us in a position where we do not want more and hopefully we have good news after the scan that he can be back soon. We have Chambers who can play in different positions, Monreal who can play centre-back and Bellerin, who I think now is ready to play.”
On Bellerin, Wenger said that he was confident the player, signed from Barcelona and on loan at Watford last season, was ready to make the step up.
Wenger said: “He’s a boy with personality. He’s not fazed by the pressure. That’s important when you’re a young boy.
“His transitional game is fantastic. He’s quick and his final ball is good. He lacks a bit of experience but he’s very dangerous.”
Meanwhile, the hosts are hoping attacking midfielder Shinki Kagawa can provide more inspiration after his excellent display against Freiburg at the weekend.
Making his second debut for the club after returning from an anonymous spell with Manchester United, the Japan international scored one and made one in a 3-1 win for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
“We already knew that Shinji can kick a bit and create a special atmosphere. He still has a nose for goals,” said Klopp, whose side also faced Arsenal in the group stages last season.
“Arsenal played very defensively here last year,” the BVB coach added. “But you have to say that our Champions League is starting against a great team.
“Arsenal are a very hard opponent and I think they did a great job on transfers over the summer.
“Now their squad has great stability and they’re actually able to play the type of football that Arsene Wenger wants to see.”
