Hector Bellerin: ‘We’re not anxious about losing Alexis Sanchez to injury’

Norwich finally began to stir and Robbie Brady tested Petr Cech as he curled in a right-footed effort which the Arsenal goalkeeper pushed away on the stretch.

Wenger’s post-match comments after the Norwich game were damning.

“That Norwich halfwit should be sent off. Bloody stupid, risky shove on Alexis”.

The Christmas period is one of the most hectic parts of the English season, and Arsenal have nine of their best players in the infirmary.

Koscielny pulled up early on with what appeared to be a back injury and was replaced by Gabriel Paulista.

Bellerin, however, believes there is no need for Arsenal to worry about the absence of the injured duo.

The Mirror report that Cazorla is also set to miss the Olympiacos game, which Arsenal must win by a two-goal margin – or by scoring three or more goals in victory – to qualify for the knockout phase of Europe’s biggest club competition.

While Sanchez is expected to miss at least 2-3 weeks, Wenger is hopeful about Koscielny and Cazorla, both are expected to return within next week. The worrying thing is it got worse during the game.

You nearly had to shake your head in disbelief as Sanchez limped off with a hamstring injury against Norwich on Sunday – only four days after Wenger queried the fitness of his talisman. “They defend deep to catch up on the counter attack and we were a bit jaded, not as sharp as usual”. “We checked it and he had no problem”.

‘But I think you nearly don’t have to ask him anything if you want to rest him.

“We had a bad spell of three games now with Tottenham, West Brom and today where we took only two points”, Wenger said.

“Obviously we can do it, but also it’s not going to be easy because it is a good team and it is going to be a great atmosphere over there, but I think we have the team spirit to do it”.

And Henry was critical of his old north London side, remarking, “I thought Arsenal died, physically, at one point” before adding: ‘I think at the beginning of the second half, Arsenal dropped.

“The quality of the performance was below what we can do offensively”. “Hopefully I can now move forward and the team can look forward to the next game”.

“His retention of the ball is excellent. I fear it is not the reality”.