Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is a doubt for Sunday’s trip to Anfield after picking up a groin strain in last weekend’s victory over Newcastle.
The England international hasn’t been ruled out completely, but like teammates Nacho Monreal and Theo Walcott, a decision on their involvement won’t be made until tomorrow.
Monreal has missed three games with a foot injury sustained in the win over Southampton, while Walcott hasn’t featured since his ‘comeback’ cameo against Burnley at the beginning of November.
Giving an update on the fitness of his squad to Arsenal Player, Arsene Wenger revealed:
“There’s a slight chance of Monreal being available and a very slight chance for Walcott. We hope that Oxlade-Chamberlain will be fit. We’ll see that on Saturday.
“Walcott is back in training today [Thursday]. But only today. I might take him, I don’t know yet until he’s back to full training. Let’s see.”
Giving a few more details on the Ox’s situation, Wenger continued: “We’ll see on Saturday after a test. He’s not in training at the moment.”
Forgotten keeper David Ospina could be on the bench for the trip to the North-West. Tomas Rosicky is the next in line to make a return (next week), while Jack Wilshere, Mesut Ozil, Laurent Koscielny, Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta remain the more long-term concerns.
We’re missing seven CMs!
does anyone know whats happening to serge?……one of my favourite youngsters and he just kind of like dissappear?
He was injured and recovering in the US. A guy on the gunners subreddit posted a pic with him in Phoenix in the Marriott there.
The guy who talked to him in the US said “He said he had a “setback” with his knee injury, he’s been here recovering for the last 3 weeks, going back tomorrow.” This was 5 days ago.
Proof:
http://imgur.com/PAIupVk
http://www.reddit.com/r/Gunners/comments/2p80b0/met_serge_today_in_phoenix/
Is Arteta back or still out?
Just kill me, I failed to see his name lol
Finally reaching a point where more people are coming back than getting injuries *touches all the wood*
No mention of Diaby???
He’s not even listed as injured on the official website.
and serge??
Ahh Ospina… he made 2 appearances before injury. A true Arsenal man :’)
I did quite enjoy chanting his name as he took goal kicks though
When will Ozil be back?
Even his own comments are vague, though positive, but it seems he’s on schedule to be match fit sometime in January. Provided he has no setbacks I’m hoping that translates into availability for the Man City match (18th). That said, given that our next match after that is a 4th Round FA Cup tie, and given that we could easily draw a lower league side after dumping Hull out, if he doesn’t make the Man City match he could make his comeback either against Villa (home on Feb 1) or away to Sp*rs on February 7th. I’m pretty sure that… Read more »
What even happend to the Ox? never even noticed he got injured, lol.
edit: nvm 😀
If the xmas fairy were to offer me a spell to cast with which would provide full fitness for an entire season.
I’m thinking Koscielny. And no I didn’t ask for that last year. I wanted a Bicycle. And it’s a very nice one thank you very much.
Hate to say this but do footballers get injured way to easy I play Sunday league and the way we play a tackle are rough we just get on with it. Can’t wait till full first team is fit COYG
When you swap the fat scaffolder running at you with Alexis or Hazard, then you would get ruined anyway, let alone trying to run off a potential leg breaker.
And how many Km do you cover over the course of your Sunday league game?
km.
I’m not totally sure what a Kelvin-meter would be…
Sorry, I’m such a dick. Like grammar police for SI units. Can’t help it though.
That’s awesome. I’m going to add that to my list of stock replies.
Probably about the same relative to how much training I do for it during the week
Could really do with Rosicky filling in for Ramsay while he’s out, you know he’ll put in a good shift every time he plays.
Time to get the Coq out
That one never gets old eh
Wait a minute!
If the Ox is not available, then who will the midfield 3 be?
Flams, Cazorla??
Jeez!!! Shoot me, shoot me now.
No working, we got Naitland-Miles 😉
*worries, stupid auto-correct
Flamini, Cazorla and Coquelin? I don’t mind Coquelin playing to be honest, but I’d prefer if it was from the bench. We’ll really need a big game from Flamini if this is the midfield, and it will be a lot better if the Ox makes it.
It’s really bizarre to have Wilshire, Ramsey, Arteta, Ozil and Rosicky out at the same time and still be pretty ok in midfield as long as Ox is fit. Our defense may be short, but we have some serious depth in the rest of the team.
Sounds like the only option we have.
Or maybe switching to a 4-4-2 with Flamini and Cazorla in midfield and a front four of Podolski, Giroud, Welbeck and Alexis. But that would be way too risky for my taste, at least as a starting lineup.
wish we have the same depth in our defence and we will be challenging for everything, but what do i know?…’arsene knows best’ and he’s got my vote!
I can’t say everything’s cool but at least I can breathe easy. The Ox has been a standout player for us this season but the modfield and attacking options seem stocked enough to handle his absence this time round.
Funny how Ox is buoyed by returning teammates, then goes on to replace them in the treatment room. lol
The togetherness is so strong in this team that if one of them get injured, the rest all join in.
Was that a typo or did you just create a new term? I like the sound of modfield. Of course, I’m a geezer, so I would.
Wenger, you need to conceal this devastating weapon in your arsenal called Theo. You will surprise ennemies with it if pulled out at the right time.
Are you sure you’re not talking about the Coq?
Arteta is the most pressing concern at the moment
The other issue is to ensure Per (who has played a lot of minutes) stays fit.
For everything else we have reasonable cover till Jan
Ox will be a big plus if available for Anfield. His close control coupled with pace has transformed us transitioning from defense to attack.
Somehow, Arsenal players don’t fail fitness tests. They all make it, so Nacho, Ox and Walcott will make the team.
The reason is that Arsene rules out players who are not fit early in the week. There are usually no room for late tests.
When the he’ll did rosicky get injured?!
can there be an alternate premiere league?.. one where only injured players can play – or try to play at least. Arsenal would have a squad with depth and win every friggin season.
Are the statistics from http://www.physioroom.com reilable when looking at injuries to club players in the Premier League or is there a better source of information?