Leading physio says Arsenal injuries could be down to tactical approach

Arsenal's constant battle with injuries could be down to something as fundamental as their tactical approach to matches, one leading physiotherapist has claimed.

Norwich City v Arsenal - Premier League

Source: Getty Images

The Gunners are currently without 10 first-team players after a trio of stars were injured during Sunday's 1-1 draw at Norwich.

Key man Alexis Sanchez was forced off with a hamstring problem while manager Arsene Wenger confirmed Santi Cazorla finished the game "playing on one leg" after suffering a blow to his knee.
The pair are now doubtful for Saturday's visit of Sunderland as well as the crucial Champions League clash with Olympiacos in Greece four days later.

The duo, along with defender Laurent Koscielny, who also had to be substituted at Carrow Road due to a hip problem, will be assessed over the next 48 hours to discover the full extent of their injuries. The France defender is believed to have the best chance of being fit for the weekend.

Sanchez has been playing almost constantly for club and country over the last year and Wenger was left to defend his decision to select the Chile international at Norwich after revealing he had felt his hamstring after starring in the 3-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb last week.

Sunday's injuries add to the seemingly ever-increasing number of casualties at the Emirates Stadium and chartered physiotherapist Sammy Margo believes it could be Arsenal's tactics that are leading to so many players being absent.

"Tactically, there are certain teams that play in a very specific way," she told PA Sport.
"It could be that tactically things are just leading to injuries, you can't blame it on refereeing. It is normally down to training and the tactical approach to the game.
"It may be that they are encouraged to behave in a certain way in certain situations that makes them more prone to injuries during the game.

"It is such a bizarre situation for that to arise and quite often it is because of something the team are doing that is inherently leading to injuries.

"Quite often if we see collective issues at one specific club, we have to look at a bunch of things specifically related with that club."

Margo, who became the first female physio at an English league club during a stint at Barnet, reckons the issues at Arsenal are also systematic of a league where rest and recuperation are almost impossible.

"Injuries do happen in a game but quite often they brew in training, when players are pushing the boundaries," she said.

"At this time of year we are always saying British football needs a break because they have been going strong.

"Players have to play at their maximum and go all-out. Particularly in Sanchez's position, the career is quite limited to be at the top so they are pushing their bodies to the boundaries.

"But there are a lot more games and some of these guys are being pushed to the limit and high expectations are being made of them.

"When Wenger first came along he introduced a different way of eating, nutrition and thinking into the club when he first arrived. His whole approach and management - it was working really well.

"But something isn't quite right at the moment, it is very difficult to pinpoint specifically what it is - somehow they need a rest. Football needs a break."


Share
Watch the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Tour de France, Tour de France Femmes, Giro d’Italia, Vuelta a España, Dakar Rally, World Athletics / ISU Championships (and more) via SBS On Demand – your free live streaming and catch-up service. Read more about Sport
Have a story or comment? Contact Us

Watch the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Tour de France, Tour de France Femmes, Giro d’Italia, Vuelta a España, Dakar Rally, World Athletics / ISU Championships (and more) via SBS On Demand – your free live streaming and catch-up service.
Watch nowOn Demand
Follow SBS Sport
3 min read
Published 1 December 2015 2:38am
Updated 1 December 2015 7:14am
By Mark Bryans
Source: PA Sport

Tags

Share this with family and friends