Arsène Wenger launched a passionate defence of his record yesterday as Arsenal suffered a double injury setback that will undermine their Barclays Premier League title challenge.
Santi Cazorla may not play again this season after developing tendinitis in his achilles during his convalescence from knee-ligament damage, while Jack Wilshere is a month away from returning after the ankle injury that has kept him out all season.
Wilshere’s latest setback will be a concern for Roy Hodgson as he ponders his European Championship squad, with the 24-year-old ruled out of England’s friendlies against Germany and Holland this month, but Cazorla’s continued unavailability is the biggest blow to Wenger as his creativity has been sorely missed since November.
Arsenal can gain ground on Leicester City at the top of the table by beating Swansea City at the Emirates Stadium tonight, but Wenger insisted that Claudio Ranieri’s side would be worthy champions. “It’s fantastic what Leicester are doing,” he said. “I f on the last day of the season they are in front of us, we congratulate them and say well done.”