Stojkovic: Gunners have problems

28 September 2010 09:49
Partizan Belgrade goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic believes Arsenal will be significantly weakened without captain Cesc Fabregas.[LNB] The Gunners are in Serbia to face Partizan in the Champions League on Tuesday, having started with a 6-0 demolition of Braga in their opening group game.[LNB]But Arsenal will be without midfield maestro Fabregas, who is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury picked up against Sunderland earlier in the month.[LNB]Arsenal put in a poor display during their 3-2 defeat to West Brom at the weekend, when goalkeeper Manuel Almunia once more cut a forlorn figure between the sticks for Arsene Wenger's men.[LNB]Partizan shot-stopper Stojkovic, 27, believes the Gunners do have problems at the back, but says the absence of Fabregas will be a huge loss.[LNB]"We've watched Arsenal's last few matches and they really have changed," he said in The Sun.[LNB]"They have problems in defence and in goal.[LNB]"But their biggest problem is the absence of Fabregas. He's a basic element in their team and they miss him.[LNB]"So I would rather face Arsenal now than in two months' time when he has recovered from his hamstring trouble.[LNB]"They are in a bad spell right now and we need to profit from this."[LNB]Stojkovic, formerly of Wigan, refused to criticise Almunia, who will not play in Belgrade due to injury, and insists he is a good goalkeeper.[LNB]He added: "It can be very hard being a keeper.[LNB]"I've suffered moments like Almunia did against West Brom and know how he feels. But he's a good player and we are confident in his absence."

Source: Team_Talk