With Arsenal in injury crisis – particularly in central midfield – the Gunners’ January signing could well make a debut against Spurs in the north London derby.
Sweden international midfielder Kim Kallstrom could be set for his Arsenal debut against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday due to an injury crisis at Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners are missing Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere, Abou Diaby and Mesut Ozil from central midfield, as well as having had Theo Walcott ruled out for the rest of the season, and doubts over the fitness of Kieran Gibbs, Nacho Monreal, Nicklas Bendtner and Yaya Sanogo.
Kallstrom has not played since signing on loan on transfer deadline day at the end of January, with his club Spartak Moscow paying his wages while he recovers from a fractured vertebrae in his back.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s recent brilliant form means he is likely to take a place in central midfield alongside either Mikel Arteta or Mathieu Flamini, so Kallstrom ought to only be required from the bench.
Given the likely heated nature of the north London derby, that may be a wise move – though Mathieu Flamini made his second debut for the club in the reverse fixture in September and performed admirably.
Kallstrom has enough experience to cope with the pressure of the situation, but allowing him more time to adapt to the Premier League would be a sensible long term strategy.
“I will have to decide if Kallstrom is okay to be in the squad on Sunday,” said Arsene Wenger to the Guardian.
“I will see how he looks. It is not impossible.”
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