EXCLUSIVE: Arsene Wenger planning to axe Arsenal star ahead of Hull clash

PETR CECH could be axed by Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger for the visit of Hull on Saturday.

Posted Thursday, February 09, 2017 by Dailystar.co.uk

EXCLUSIVE: Arsene Wenger planning to axe Arsenal star ahead of Hull clash
Petr Cech could face the axe when Arsenal take on Hull

The 35-year-old gifted Chelsea their third goal in the Gunners 3-1 defeat on Saturday when he passed straight to Cesc Fabregas.

It is understood there has been concern recently among the Gunners coaching staff about Cech’s general form and his kicking in particular.

There is a feeling within the club that Wenger needs to make a statement following the two defeats - at home to Watford and at Stamford Bridge - which have wrecked the club’s hopes of winning a first title in 13 years.

They now trail the Blues by 12 points and in-form Hull will be aiming to take advantage of the faltering Gunners on Saturday.

Replacing Cech with David Ospina would be ideal preparation for the Colombian to face Bayern Munich in Germany next Wednesday.

At the start of the season Wenger told Ospina he would play in the Champions League, where he has excelled this campaign.

EXCLUSIVE: Arsene Wenger planning to axe Arsenal star ahead of Hull clash
David Ospina has impressed for Arsenal in the Champions League

EXCLUSIVE: Arsene Wenger planning to axe Arsenal star ahead of Hull clash
Arsene Wenger hasn't been impressed with Cech's performances lately

Gunners’ full back Hector Bellerin could also be in the frame to face Hull after making a rapid recovery from a head injury.

The Gunners full back had an MRI scan after a collision with Marcos Alonso in his side’s defeat at Chelsea.

But Bellerin will return to training today after getting the all-clear.

FA rules say a player cannot play again within 14 days of suffering a serious head injury.

But club medical staff have the final say and it is understood Bellerin’s injury is not as bad as first feared.

The 21-year-old hit the deck hard after being clattered by Alonso when the Chelsea full back scored the opening goal.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger even admitted Bellerin “did not know the score” as he was led from the field.

He will be assessed thoroughly to see if he is ready to play again, with Arsenal understandably willing to take no chances with the Spaniard.

Club doctor Gary O’Driscoll, who helped draw up new Premier League guidelines on head injuries, will monitor Bellerin carefully.

Former Arsenal star Thierry Henry says his old team have a mental problem that Wenger, who has faced more calls to quit, will find hard to fix.

Henry said: “Personally, I do not think Arsene has to go. Does he have to change his tactics or his way of doing things? I do not know if he’s willing to do that.

"But the work he has to do at the moment is difficult, because it is mental work. What I saw against Chelsea is a mental problem. And it’s not easy to manage that. For now, something is missing.”

Henry also denied saying Arsenal would never win the title with Olivier Giroud leading the line up front.

He said: “I would have liked to have played with him. As someone who brings others into play, he is extraordinary.

"I never criticised him. I responded to a question, ‘What must Arsenal do to become champions?’.

"To that I said that Giroud cannot be the only forward if Arsenal are to win the league.

"Some weeks before that question I was praising him. But no-one remembers that.

"It’s been the situation for two years. I replied that Arsenal need a stronger spine, few injuries and for Mesut Ozil to lift his level to that he had played the season before.

"And another attacker other than Giroud, so there are more solutions and options in attack. That’s what I said.”