Is There an Arsenal Injury Curse?

His ability to spot a young talent to don the famousthose who are playing a lot of games, are liable
red and white soccer uniform and nurture them tosuffer injuries to their key players. However very
greatness is renowned. At the helm at Arsenal sincefew see their players being stretchered off with
1996, Wenger has recognized talent in many playerscareer threatening injuries the way Arsenal have,
and his current squad bears witness to his ability.especially in the last few years.
Despite the fact that Arsenal was up there andThe recent terrible injury blow that Arsenal suffered
winning trophies up till 2005, they have won nothingwas with their young Welsh talent, Aaron Ramsey
since and not even got close in the UK. They didwho was a victim of a studs up tackle by Stoke's
enjoy the distinction of being the first London club toRyan Shawcross which left Ramsey with seemingly
reach a European Champions league final, losing outno less than six fractures to his shin. Shawcross left
to Barcelona in 2006.the field in tears, and the Arsenal and Stoke players
Since the (some say premature) departure of Thierrywere obviously shaken as nineteen year old Ramsey
Henry to Barcelona in 2007, Arsenal appears to havewas stretchered of, and is not likely to feature again
lost their edge in the last third of the pitch. To watchon a soccer pitch till 2011.
them play some times can be very frustrating asIt must have been like déjà vu for Wenger as he
they have some really skilful players, and a creativerecalled the day in February 2008, in a match against
gem in Cest Fabregas, but they just don't seem toBirmingham City, where another one of his proteges,
score enough goals, especially against the otherCroatian born Eduardo suffered a badly broken left
members of the big four ( Chelsea, ManUtd. orfibula as well as an open dislocation to his left ankle.
maybe Liverpool).The injury was caused by an over the ball tackle by
Unfortunately where Arsenal does appear to lead theBirmingham's captain Martin Taylor, who was
field is in the number of horrific injuries that theirpromptly sent off. It took Eduardo almost exactly
players have suffered over the last few years. Everyone year to get back to proper match fitness.
team going through a tough season, and especially