Arsene Wenger says Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mathieu Debuchy and Mikel Arteta are still not ready for a first team return as Arsenal prepare for their second trip to Old Trafford this season.
The Ox suffered a hamstring injury in the 2-1 FA Cup win over Manchester United back on 9 March and hasn’t featured since.
“Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mathieu Debuchy and Mikel Arteta are not ready,” the boss told Arsenal.com on Thursday.
“Danny Welbeck has a little possibility to be fit. Aaron Ramsey is not in training yet but he should be better tomorrow.
“I don’t think we have any big injuries, maybe Welbeck will be available but at the moment he looks short.
“I don’t know how long the others will be out for, it’s difficult to say, but hopefully they will play again this season.”
Given the latest update it seems unlikely that the boss will tinker too much with his starting XI. As has been well documented, Monday’s team for the defeat to Swansea represented the first time since the George Graham era that Arsenal had fielded the same side in the league for five consecutive matches.
I can’t wait coyg!
Shame, would have loved to see Ox rip em to pieces. Lets hope for a big bounce back result 🙂
Unchanged side, it sounds like. Prove that Swansea was a blip please.
Welbz to score the winner again, just imagine how glorious that would be,
Morata like…
What about Diaby?
Swansea was a blip. There is no way our red hot chilean would miss a sitter like that for many years to come. We should not be intimidated by playing there. Their biggest threat is hoof it up high to the fuzzball. A point will do us for 3rd place and if Swansea survive City onslaught then 3 points and 2nd spot back in our hands. Hopefully Ox will have good summer rest and be fit through 2015-16. So please let him say “they asked me to play for england under 21s and I said NO NO NO” (and jack)
I think Southgate’s already ruled out using Jack in the summer, something about faith in the squad that’s gotten through to the tournament. Not sure if he mentioned the Ox though…
What about this lineup:
Ospina
Bellerin – Mert – Kos – Monreal
Cazorla – Coq
Sanchez – Ozil – Welbeck (mix it up and let Sanchez start on the right)
Giroud
Think it’s too early for Welbeck to start? Maybe throw Ramsey back in…
Way too attacking mate
Thats a solid improvement on the lineup we fielded last time. Welbz is hard worker as is Sanchez, plus Bellerin and Monreal for our flanks, then down the middle Giroud, Ozil, Coq, Cazorla, Koscielny, Mert, Ospina. They’ll be shut down mate 😀
How is that significantly more attacking than having Ramsey on the wing? Welbeck has his problems, but working hard to defend sure isn’t one of them.
Let’s go same as before and chuck Theo in late doors if we need a chance missed in the final few minutes.
Sorry couldn’t resist! 🙂
I do rather like that. I think perhaps Theo should go out on loan and score goals and run past people and then come back if he’s up to it. We do really miss OX, why on earth has been out for so long with a hamstring? Arsene never gives full details, perhaps we’re too stupid to understand.
Not even funny, try to resist next time.
“Danny Welbeck has a little possibility to be fit.”
When is Wenger gonna learn to speak proper English? He’s been over here long enough.
The last time we went to Old Trafford I predicted that we’d lose, so I’m gonna do it again and forcast a 5-0 victory for Man United.
But I could be wrong.
Sort your French out Fats before casting aspersions!
When is Wenger GOING TO learn to speak English PROPERLY? He HAS been over here FOR long enough.
The last time we went to Old Trafford, I predicted that we WOULD lose, so I’m GOING TO do it again and FORECAST a 5-0 victory for Man United.
But I could be wrong.
^Learn to speak English properly please
Ain’t nuffing rong wiv me Enlish
Have you heard Aguero? He’s been in England for about four years, and apparently he really really really loves Man $ity, but he barely speaks a word of English. Same with Coloccini, loves the club, should be captain, been at Newcastle for seven years, still barely speaks a word of English.
the threat from Man Utd last week came from the wings they made the pitch very wide and stretched palace at the back and Fellani was the danger man getting crosses into him that we need to cut out Cos & Per need to guard hm well the rest we will dominate in midfield fancy we will get 2 or 3 here need the ref to be strong for Fellanies constant fouling got away with too many in the FA cup glad we aint waiting till Monday
Don’t worry. Last time our Coq was all over That Bush.
(Yes? No? Maybe?)
Yes take a bow son!
it’s that wideness and stretching at the back that makes me yearn for AW to sign Goetze
I truly believe (cough)that Theo should go out on loan to Bayern Munich for a season ,working with Pep the Genius who ,when coaching Barcelona, made special mention of Theo in his pre match dialogue with his players prior to a second leg Champions League game against us. Arsene didn’t pick Theo but hey ho.
He will be guaranteed a starting place there obviously so will get plenty of game time and can come back refreshed and full of confidence.
Watch out Lionel.
Laugh out loud, enjoying the comedy here
Winning two games at Oldtrafford this season will be superb
Really doesn’t look like we’ll see Debuchy, Chamberlin or Arteta again this season. Depending upon the outcome on Sunday we may very well need 4 points out of the last two matches to guarantee top 3 and not have to qualify for the CL group stages. It doesn’t sound like any of the three will be back with any levels of fitness over the next few weeks.