Arsene Wenger has given us the latest update on the injury and fitness situation at Arsenal Football Club. And while there is a little doubt about two more of the players, the news is generally good and positive as we head into a crucial and busy period of the season.
The Frenchman revealed on the official Arsenal website that there are doubts about the fitness and availability of our young Spanish right back Hector Bellerin, who has a minor ankle problem, and our French defensive midfielder Mathieu Flamini, who has an issue with his hamstring. The medical staff will test the pair further tomorrow to see if they can face Crystal Palace, but really I expect Wenger to err on the side of caution and replace them for the trip to Selhurst Park on Saturday.
The manager revealed, “Ramsey is still out. The two other injuries are Arteta and Debuchy. Apart from that we have some uncertainties about Flamini and Bellerin – they are doubtful for Saturday. Everybody else is OK.
“Bellerin is his ankle and Flamini has a tight hamstring. We’ll see. We’ll have tests tomorrow [Friday].
“[Ramsey] is nine days into his three-week rehab.
“Jack is fine.
“[Chamberlain] is close. He will join in normal training today.”
With the problems we have had with injuries for well over a year now and with a big Champions League game with Monaco in midweek, there is no need to take any risks, especially as we have Calum Chambers and Francis Coquelin to replace them.
The other player I expect to miss out tomorrow is Tomas Rosicky, but only because Wilshere needs the game time and Arsenal need our Czech midfielder for the Monaco clash as he is our best bet with Ramsey still out. The rest of the players are well capable of playing two games in five days so I assume that will just be a selection issue for the boss to deal with.
What would your starting XI for Crystal Palace be?