Is Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s injury good for Barcelona?

They say form is temporary, class is permanent. While I’m not going to go as far as to say that Zlatan Ibrahimovic is no longer a world-class player, he certainly is, I think we can all agree that he hasn’t been in the best form lately. In fact, he has been no where near as good as we all expect from Barcelona’s replacement for Samuel Eto'o. Above is footage of Ibra wasting chance after chance in a recent game against Real Zaragoza; can you really tell me this is the same Zlatan that won Inter Milan the Scudetto last year?

Anyway, the Sweden international suffered a calf injury whilst warming-up for Saturday’s Primera Division clash with Athletic Bilbao and, after being replaced in the line-up by Bojan Krkic, underwent initial tests this evening. Bojan went on to score two goals against Atletico Bilbao (Barça won 4-1, highlights after the jump). I know that Ibra scored two goals against Arsenal, but I think it is fair to say that he wasted another half-dozen golden chances in the first half at the Emirates.

Confidence is necessary for a player to succeed at the highest levels, and I really think the Swede needs to take some time to regain faith in himself. So while Ibra will merely be a spectator when Barça welcome Arsenal to the Nou Camp, either Thierry Henry or Bojan will replace him and play the prominent role in attack. Is that really a bad thing for Barcelona? I, for one, think this is the best thing that the Blaugrana could ask for.

Highlights of Barça’s 4-1 win over Atletico Bilbao. Barcelona’s goals came from Jeffren, Bojan (2), and Lionel Messi. Susaeta scored the lone goal for Bilbao.