Reports this morning say that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain might need surgery this summer to help sort out an ongoing groin problem.
Having tweaked a hamstring at Old Trafford in the FA Cup win last month, the England midfielder was on his way back to full fitness but will miss another couple of weeks as the underlying problem flared up again.
We’ve seen already this season how connected it all can be when Mikel Arteta underwent ankle surgery to prevent the string of calf strains he’d been suffering throughout the campaign.
While Arsene Wenger is confident that Oxlade-Chamberlain will play again this season, he’s anxious to get the problem sorted once and for all in the summer, when no international tournament gives him plenty of time to recover.
“It is taking a bit longer than I thought because he has a groin inflammation,” said Wenger.
“It is related to everything before. I hope it does not become a long-term problem but he faces a hurdle this week in training.
“We will see if he has recovered well, so the end of this week and the start of next week are important to see if he got rid of that inflammation. It is not his hamstring any more. It is groin inflammation.”
The Frenchman ruled the former Southampton man out of the FA Cup semi-final, saying he needs rest.
“Oxlade-Chamberlain is not available for the next two weeks at least,” he said. “He will not be available for the Burnley game on Saturday and he will not be available for the semi-final of the FA Cup against Reading next Saturday.”
Let’s hope two weeks more does the trick, and that he can play a part between now and the end of the season.
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Was in great form and has a great future.
Let’s hope it works out Ok, or at least is sorted for next season.
Wish him the best but thankfully we have quality to fill the void right left behind right now. Long Live Shad Forsythe. He just needed a year to settle into premier league football – we all know how these foreigners struggle with the physicality of the league.
Wha?! Ox is a Foreigner?! 😉
I curse the day our team met the injury Gods…
Yeah let’s not attract their attention..
Then do it NOW! Operate an fix that problem, don’t rush him in and make the problem worse! The sooner the better, and we will have one mean Ox for the next season…
Nah, wait for it. Make him fit enough to be a part at the end of this season and then sort him out. He´ll have the whole summer and a couple of weeks into next season to heal properly. I really think we need him for some games this season. I want us to give it all we got now and not compromise with anything! Aim for the stars and land on the clouds and all that…
Before undergoing surgery Ox has got one more job to do… to fucking terrorize John Terry and Gary Cahill at the Emirates on 26th April, bagging an assist and a goal.
With most others fit (fingers crossed), the important point will to make sure the Ox doesn’t miss pre-season.
He was having a good season but the injuries haven’t helped at all. So, hope the problem is rectified and we can see the Ox stepping it up next season.
We’re all experts when it comes to knowing how to manage the team and their needs and injuries, aren’t we 😉
While surgery can fix problems, it can also make things much, much worse. Any time anyone “needs” surgery they should very carefully consider the potential risks & benefits of the procedure before they proceed. That includes professional athletes.
Isn’t it better that he has the surgery now? If we have Wilshere and Arteta back, might as well start the Ox’s recovery now and don’t force him to play through a recurring problem.
Much as I would really have loved him to play again this season, we shouldn’t risk him. if we can get him firing on all cylinders next season as we mount assault on the champs league and the premier league(i have not given up on this seasons premier league).
The Ox gives me more adrenaline than the magical Sanchez, Ozil or Cazorla. I don’t know why.
Same here. Theres a very special player in there somewhere waiting to be unleashed, I can feel it.
As long as he’s ok for next season
And a long, glorious career as a Gunner
Let’s finish the season strongly, 2nd and the FA Cup is definitely progress. Hate that we can’t beat Mourinho to the title, but if it wasn’t for the injuries and players out of form in the 1st half of the season then we’d definitely have a shout. Which is why I can’t wait for next season, get this one over with. Make the necessary signings and lets go again next season.
I still have not give up on us actually pulling it off this season. I know its dreaming, but if Chelski should draw against QPR, lose to Manu and us…One can only dream right?
I’m pinning all my hopes on a Pardew masterclass when they visit Palace.. Sanogo and Chamakh to score?
I don’t get it, how did you extrapolate “needs surgery” from minor setback?
If he is injured they shouldn’t have him doing hurdles in training!
As a former hurdler I can confirm hurdles and groin injuries do not mix.
I remember press spreading rumors that ramsey needed surgery in the summer. didn’t expect arseblog to run a rumor which lends no credence by itself. surely, if he needed surgery, he would get it done right away and if it was the case wenger would definitely have mentioned it in the press conference.
Less fun off the pitch please Ox.
Not sure if jumping over hurdles in training will be any good for our Ox !…lol
There is something about the Ox, he is the most exciting player in the squad right now to me. His age and the fact that he already possesses almost every single trait & talent you’d want in a world class mid field player… ufff Tenacity Speed Trickery Stamina Intelligence on and off the ball When I see him play I almost always forget that he is still just 21 years of age. I would really love to see what he can do if he can put the injury issues behind him, I suspect that a consistent run of games might… Read more »
Oh, another thing. He is also funny as hell, check out Car Banter on Arsenals official youtube channel.
Also, he looks like a teenage mutant ninja turtle. Which is another thing you need to be a world class midfielder.
Here’s an idea. This summer, we don’t buy any players and invest the entire war chest on a better fitness coach.
I love watching him play. Hoping for a speedy return. Fortunately, this season has shown that we finally have adequate depth, at least in midfield. So there’s no need to risk him. It’s a long hard season, injuries are normal and part of the sport. IMO, Aresenal is getting very close to what it needs to dominate long term; at least two world class, international quality players for every position. I could see a few additions over the summer putting the team over the top. And Chelsea better not slip up at all this year if the don’t want to… Read more »
Ox > Sterling > Owen loudmouth
It’s a shame for him as Wenger was finally showing his faith in Chamberlin playing him ahead of others in big matches. If you made a squad of the players on our team that missed large amount of time this season it would be the best in the world compared to a similar squad from any other club:
Giroud
Ozil Chamberlin Ramsey Walcott
Wilshere Arteta
Gibbs Koscielny Debuchy
Ospina
What other team could have lost such a squad (probably for an average per player of about 2 months out) and still be fighting for top 2?
@Mark, none because `there’s only one Arsen Wenger`
The ox oooooooo the ox…….. sorry am not a poet…… just missing u