Gunners sweat over midfielders
by Tom Adams, 05 February 2008
Arsenal midfielders Mathieu Flamini and Abou Diaby have suffered injury scares whilst on international duty on Tuesday night.
Flamini was forced off after just 17 minutes as a France reserve side played out a 0-0 draw against DR Congo in Marbella, and Diaby failed to start the game due to a calf problem.
Following the fixture, which also saw North London team-mate Gael Clichy make his first appearance for Raymond Domenech, RMC reported that Flamini had sustained an ankle injury but that the blow was not a serious one.
With no official confirmation yet forthcoming from the Premier League leaders, Arsenal will be hoping the fitness problem is not severe enough to keep Flamini out of Monday’s Premier League encounter against Blackburn Rovers.
The former Marseille trainee - who made his debut for Les Bleus in November - has been in impressive form alongside Cesc Fabregas in Arsene Wenger’s midfield this season, keeping World Cup winner Gilberto Silva out of the side.
Fellow midfielder Diaby's injury also seems to be a minor problem, with France coach Domenech stating: "He has a small concern with the calf, I did not want to take a risk, so he remained at rest."