Ignasi Miquel is in the Arsenal squad to face Ipswich Town tonight, Young Guns can confirm. The Spaniard keeps his place in the first-team after being named on the bench against Leeds United at on Saturday.
Miquel was widely expected to be part of Arsène Wenger’s team for the Carling Cup Semi-Final, after he was not part of the Reserve team which lost 10-1 to Aston Villa on Monday. He was in the stadium, though, cheering on his team mates from the stands.
Arsenal are currently experiencing a centre back crisis, with Thomas Vermaelen going for an operation on an Achilles problem while Sébastien Squillaci picked up a knock against Leeds. Wenger is also keen to rest Johan Djourou, fearing a recurrence of his troublesome knee problems which have dogged his fitness in recent years.
A number of English based newspapers say Miquel will start against Ipswich, but this is unlikely. Alexandre Song dropping back to centre half is a more realistic option, something the Frenchman confirmed he was thinking about today when pressed on a possible defensive signing.
“We have solutions internally, with Miquel, with Alex Song, who can play centre back, and with Squillaci. Sébastien should come back very quickly.”
Miquel has never made a professional appearance for Arsenal, but did feature against Barnet in pre-season.