I never thought I’d see the day when all Arsenal fans were united in their anxiety over a Nacho Monreal injury.
Monreal was subbed off early in the first half of Arsenal’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, with Arsene Wenger’s men set to face Pep Guardiola’s side again this week.
However, Monreal has now been ruled out of the City and Brighton clashes and could miss both legs of Arsenal’s Europa League tie against AC Milan in March.
“He is out for the two games this weekend – Thursday and Sunday certainly. He might be out for two more games – Milan and maybe one more [Watford],” Wenger said at his pre-match press conference on Wednesday morning, reports Sky Sports.
“He has an inflamed back.”
Considering the 32-year-old has probably been one of Arsenal’s only reliable players this term, fans are coping with the blow by cracking jokes about the defender carrying the rest of the team, especially the defenders he plays alongside.
The left-back has scored three goals since his return from injury against Crystal Palace last month and fans are now seemingly anxious that Arsenal won’t actually be able to find the back of the net without the Spaniard on the pitch.
Alexandre Lacazette is sidelined after undergoing knee surgery last week and if Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang continues to not get any service from Arsenal’s midfield, it’s hard for him to score.
Danny Welbeck is Danny Welbeck so it’s not like we can rely on him.
With this in mind, it’s easy to see why Arsenal fans are losing it and resorting to jokes on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/Ikwxn/status/968791639757004800
Our best striker in UEL is out. Now we are stuck with Welbeck.
— Abhirup Sahoo (@indiangoonermvp) February 28, 2018
Carry the 3 others will be back breaking work
— Luke Harris (@LHarris4676) February 28, 2018
Inflamed from carrying the defence line by himself
— Carol Shi’ (@TheDeadAccount) February 28, 2018
His back must be sore from carrying our defence.
— LJ64 (@LJ64ce) February 28, 2018
He’s finally tired of CARRYING the whole team !!! 😩😩😏
— Jibrilinho#9 (@Jibrilinho) February 28, 2018
If Our forward is out then we are screwed again.
— abr G (@abrlet) February 28, 2018
Bad back from carrying us all season
— datguycizz (@CiarenRyan) February 28, 2018