Arsene Wenger says Aaron Ramsey and Mathieu Flamini are close to full fitness and could be available for selection against West Ham United on Saturday.
The boss also revealed that both Tomas Rosicky and Jack Wilshere will play for the under-21s against Newcastle United on Friday night as they edge closer to first team action.
“We have a similar squad available,” Wenger told his pre-West Ham press conference.
“Ramsey could join the squad again because he had a good training session on Wednesday and would normally have a final test on Friday. There’s a possibility he could be back in the squad. Flamini is in a similar situation to Ramsey.”
All in all, the boss noted that the ‘injury situation looks quite positive’ revealing that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Santi Cazorla are also working hard to make their own comebacks.
“Santi and Alex [Oxlade-Chamberlain] are the only injuries now. At the moment we [are waiting] on Alex coming back to fitness and Santi to practise. They should not be too far. Overall, the injury situation looks quite good.”
Having won 2-0 at Everton and 4-0 against Watford it’s unlikely the boss will apply major surgery to his starting lineup, a fact he admitted when he said, ” I’m reluctant to change what works.”
please don’t bring flamini back in 😀
Put a £10 on arsenal to win two weeks back at 6-1, lets do this!
For someone as astute as Wenger, who spotted exactly the right time to let go of Henry, Viera who were talismen upto that point, it’s surprising that he thought he could do with Flamini, Arteta and Rosicky (all have played important roles during their time) at the start of this season!
The season is not over but I’m in Ozil’s camp in this one and not Wenger’s that it was our own fault that we are not closer (maybe even leading), at this point!
Let go Henry and Vieira for Chamack and Denilson can never be at the right time. I know Eduardo replaced Henry but we all know what happened to Eduardo. Don’t you think Wenger also knew the right time to let go RVP and help Manure win the league? I think Wenger does not like to show the door to players who are dedicated and behave well and I like that.
I don’t think he meant that they were sufficiently replaced, just that he chose to sell them after we had the best of their careers and at a time when we could still get a half decent monetary return on them. I don’t think anyone would claim that they were well replaced.
Yes, that’s what I meant.
On RVP, there are very popular quotes about Wenger telling Fergi that he was getting a better player than he is paying for. There are many players we sold not because we didn’t want them but we need to. It’s a separate topic.
The best example of “If it ain’t broke…” if ever there was one.
Sounds good.
”I’m reluctant to change what works” – History would tell us otherwise but at least the team seems to be performing consistently and the manager can see that, so thumbs up 🙂
Yes, wait and see………………..
Great to see that Jack and Mozart are playing tonight. I really rate Wilshere and hopefully he will be starting again soon, and also this means that Rocky will get a last bow at Emirates. Hope Rambo doesn’t come back in though
Feels like a big game.
Do we still have anything to play for; given how loathed we have become to even considering a top 4 finish as success anymore?
Until it’s actually impossible, I can’t stop myself believing that the title is still possible. Deluded, yes I know, but what’s the point if you don’t have faith.
COYG!
Daring to dream is all part of the fun in being a football supporter!
All we can do is win every game from now on in, and see where that leaves us. To have a light in the end og the tunnel makes it easier to keep up the motivation and morale.
And even the thoughts of the spuds finishing above us is unbearable, so yes, still plenty to play for!
Still haven’t happened in my lifetime, and as a supporter I will do everything I can to help the team to make sure I can day the same at the start of next season.
COYG!
We HAVE to finish above that lot from Middlesex, so we definitely have something to play for. Once we’re above them then let’s see what happens with Leicester.
Top 3 to enter the CL group stage directly seems reasonable or being second to ensure we are ahead Tottenham.
At this rate, the title is still up for grabs…. Leicester cant always be one goal lucky.
Do the maths, 6 to go for Leicester and they have to lose 4. All their 11 players show so much of commitment for defending and I don’t see how it can happen.
Sorry, Leicester have to lose three.
Hammers, Man U, Everton, and Chelsea are all losable matches for them. And Sunderland fighting the drop. They don’t have a cake walk!
I’ll definitely be watching that space because it could be interesting.
But we’ve got a big one against the Hammers ourselves this week end.
I thought Leicester had to lose two and draw one.
It’s possible.
Sanders being President of the USA is also possible. It is also possible that Cameron could resign as a result of the Panama thing and go back to screwing pigs.
All of this would be swell, but that does not mean I think it will happen.
Leicester are a team that’s doing well mainly due to confidence (not saying they’re bad but they’re not that talented). A couple of bad results for them could have a big negative effect on them. Yes it’s unlikely but it is possible.
We are going to win the title I still strongly believe if we can win all our remaining matches and I also believe Leicester and Spurs will start dropping points from this weekend… Let’s keep the faith.
As much as it’s disgusts me to say this but I hope manure win this weekend. Not only is that good for St Totteringham’s day but if manure can finish 4th above citeh then Pep will be like, ‘wtf is this europa league thing?’
Is there a clause that Pep can choose not to go to city if they don’t get Champions League? Or is that just a rumour I’ve been hearing?
He definitely seems the sort to do that.
Let’s hope Pellegrini leaves that as a ‘Parting Gift’
Wishful thinking. Would probably adore being able to claim he took a lowly Europa League team into the title race 🙂
Lesser of two evils, by a long, long way.
Seems like a good plan but wouldn’t you enjoy Mourinho and Rooney playing against Anzhi whatever on a Thursday ?
You had better not Change shit. This group of players seem to have that long lost ‘mental strength’ and are not playing under any preasure what so ever, and they understand themselves well, It’s feels just like our dear good old Arsenal
I had a dream that we had to score lots of goals to win the league on the last day vs Villa.
Didn’t get to finish my dream but we got off to a flying start!
Great news all round! Just feels like we might be building up a bit of confidence, form and fitness just in time (arguably, too late but my cup is half full!).
Really believe this could be season-shaping weekend, with all three contenders facing tricky matches.. three points from east London coupled with any dropped points for Leicester and spuds would create a massive momentum shift and we would be right back in it!
Just keep flamini away from the squad for the rest of the season
Not this weekend but the next game, watch Hollywood walk back in at the expense of team balance.
Other than rosicky and cazorla off the bench, nobody should be getting into this squad at this crucial late stage. But it will happen.
All I want for my birthday and wedding anniversary present is 3 points on Saturday. My wife must not see this but that is all I seek from the Gunners. COYG
Dear Arsene,
do not change the starting eleven this weekend or anytime soon
it works !!
a concerned fan 🙂
Gotta put that opening game ghost to bed. Seems like our can’t be really that arsed games are over. Can’t wait for an electric performance. Wonder if song will play.
He forgot Mikel…. strange Wenger does not think that Mikel is part of the team
As long as Rambo doesn’t get put back into starting CM, I’m happy with this news.