Arsenal continued their outstanding winning run by picking up another 3 points against Aston Villa and held onto the top spot in the Premier League heading into GW6.
They face a sterner test up next against a revitalized Manchester United who’ve picked up 3 wins on the trot, making for an exciting matchup.
While United will enter Old Trafford full-strength plus a certain Antony Santos, the Gunners will have to deal with a more depleted squad owing to injuries.
Speaking ahead of the game, boss Mikel Arteta pointed out the key absentees, “those two [Ramsdale and Odegaard] are being assessed, we will see more tomorrow. Hopefully, they will be able to train with the team.”
“Unfortunately with Alex [Zinchenko] that’s still not the case, he missed two games and has not been able to train with the team yet”.
With 3 crucial first-team players potentially out already, the Spaniard also has to deal with 2 other major absentees in Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny.
While there is hope that Ghana International will be back in action relatively soon, for Elneny it is the polar opposite.
As Arteta put it ‘we are talking months’ until the Egyptian will be back on the pitch for the Gunners, which is certainly a meaningful blow.
Despite not being the first choice following Partey’s arrival, Elneny has always been an excellent deputy and usually delivers when called upon.
The midfielder’s commitment on the pitch is held in high regard, and it was on display during his appearance against Fulham, as he managed to soldier on, despite picking up the injury that has sidelined him for months mid-game.
Sung to the tune of The Beatles’ 1963 classic ‘Twist and Shout’, the chant is plenty energetic and is one that will likely get you moving.
It can be seen on display in this clip, being sung loudly at the Tollington pub in Islington.
The lyrics are-
‘Come on Elneny, Work it all out! You know you twist so good, Twist so good! You know you twist so fine, Twist so fine Come on Elneny now, Come on Elneny! Know that you’re mo…… Shake it Elneny!’
‘Twist and shout. Come on Elneny! Work it all out, Work it all out!’
