Arsene Wenger has revealed the latest on the fitness of Arsenal’s first team squad members, and is expecting to have a near-full list available for selection.
There are doubts over Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who had to be taken off against Lincoln last weekend with a hamstring injury, as well as Kieran Gibbs.
The English midfielder has been impressing as a makeshift central midfielder this season, but is set to undergo late tests before assessing how much game-time to grant him against West Bromwich Albion this weekend. Gibbs has also been confirmed as an unlikely feature.
There is good news on Mohamed Elneny however, and he is expected to be made available in the near future, although this game is coming too soon. His recovery is proving to be a rapid one regardless, with his ankle injury rejuvenating quickly.
Wenger said: “Gibbs is uncertain at the moment. Oxlade-Chamberlain has a test today, but overall it’s the squad that was available [for Lincoln]. Elneny has joined in again. Apart from Cazorla, we should have everybody available.”
He was then asked if the Egyptian would be playing against West Brom, to which he replied: “No, because at the start it looked like it was a very bad ankle injury. He has recovered well because he’s a very strong boy and very keen to come back as quickly as possible. It worked well for him.”
Should we rush Elneny or Oxlade back into the first-team, or do we trust in Ramsey, Coquelin and Xhaka to star centrally?
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Xhaka Ramsey
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